THIS MONTH: Program updates - News and Events - AE Safety Check - Curriculum

The STEM Kit Program is now accepting applications for squadrons and AEOs. Unfortunately, the program is still temporarily closed to AEMs, but we are dedicated to providing updates when this status changes. Thank you for your patience and continued support!

If you have any questions, please reach out to STEM@capnhq.gov. We look forward to continuing to support our members as they inspire the next generation of aviation, space, and cyber leaders through STEM education.

CAP's Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) program opened its new year Oct. 1 with the 2026 fiscal year. Aerospace education officers (AEOs) and aerospace education members (AEMs) can still apply for the program for their squadrons and classrooms. The program recognizes CAP units and classrooms that actively engage members and students in exciting STEM education activities. To achieve the AEX award, you need to complete 6 activities and a two-hour field experience such as a museum tour or space day.

AEOs, don't forget that the AEX completion counts toward the Quality Cadet Unit Award and AE Achievement Award. Our AEX curriculum booklets, as well as other CAP lessons and activities can assist your efforts. You may also use lessons from like-minded STEM organizations such as NASA or use any of your own lessons. In addition, you can count activities such as the High Altitude Balloon Challenge, CAP/NASA missions and STEM kit usage. Your rocketry events (like the one pictured here by SWR-TX-035, Alliance Composite Squadron) also can count toward the AEX Activities or two-hour field experience.

AEMs who teach grades 7 and up, we hope your semester is getting off to a great start after the holidays. You, too, can complete the program with your own lessons or those from like-minded organizations that you already have taught or planned to teach. Our AEX lessons and other CAP materials are there to support you.

Please let us know if you have any questions on applying for or completing the AEX program. We are here to help at aex@capnhq.gov.

It’s time to recognize all ACE schools, teachers, and students that have been reaching for the stars this year. The ACE committee is looking for the best, brightest, and most excellent in ACE Schools…and that could be YOU! Nominations are now being accepted for National ACE School, Teacher, and Student of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year. Nomination forms can be found by clicking HERE. Look on the right side of the screen under Related Links to download each form. Make sure to fill out each nomination and send it in with photos, newspaper articles, social media posts, and recommendation letters to ace@capnhq.gov.

Don’t forget to submit your ACE Completion Report this year. Your feedback will help us in editing and reevaluating the program for next year. Click HERE to go directly to the Online ACE Completion Form. Make sure to have your CAPID# and password handy so that you can log into eServices.

Thanks for all that you do and for making your FACE a part of ACE this year!

And if you aren't a part of ACE yet, it's not too late to join for the 2025-2026 school year.

Registration closes March 31.

Sue Mercer

ACE Program Manager

smercer@capnhq.gov

Any CAP member who is a formal or informal educator, whether in a squadron or not, is eligible for one Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight per year. 

Teachers, to request a flight, contact your state’s volunteer Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) found on the list HERE. Provide your CAP ID#, the city where you live, and your cell number to help them coordinate with their Operations team to get you a plane and pilot at an airport near you -- to get you into the air!

After a pre-flight briefing, teachers can try out the controls and fly the plane. The pilot can then come visit the classroom to carry on the experience. 

• Teachers, get your certificate signed by your pilot and do not forget to complete the easy online evaluation afterward.
•  Share some good photos with your pilot to ae@capnhq.gov and you may be featured here and in our other publications. 

News and Events

This is your last chance to register for the CAP/NASA 2026 Aviation Skywatch Mission and take part in an exciting citizen science adventure with Civil Air Patrol. This official CAP mission is available to all cadet and senior members.

Find out how you can be a part of this incredible opportunity before registration closes on Feb. 14. For more information and to register, please visit our landing page at the link below.

(Welcome to AE Safety Check! Here are things to think about as you lead or participate in an Aerospace Education activity. The writer of this monthly feature is Lt. Col. Karen Cooper, National AE Manager, who works in safety and risk management on the AE National Headquarters Staff and is also the Northeast Region DCS/Aerospace Education.)

If you have a safety topic you would like to be included in this space, please email kcooper@ner.cap.gov.

If you missed it last month, it’s now easier than ever to find the CAP lessons and activities you need! The migration of Aerospace Education resources from eServices to Absorb is complete. To help you navigate this transition, we’ve introduced a new "Legacy Content" tag. This allows you to see at a glance which resources are available in the new LMS but haven’t yet received a full update. To reach Absorb, go to eServices > Online Learning > Absorb LMS.

Modular Lessons for Easier Access:



As part of this move, we are breaking down our larger publications, such as the AEX Advanced Mathematics and MS Physical Science books, into standalone lessons. While these specific lessons are still in their "Legacy" format, they are now individually tagged by topic and skill.

Whether you need an activity on data analysis, aviation, space, or communication skills, you can now search for exactly what you need without the heavy lifting.

Leveled Up Lessons:



In addition, we’ve officially "leveled up" four core lessons ideal for cadets and middle-grade students:



• Frontal Forecast (pictured)
• Seismic Waves
• Engineering for Impact
• Spinoff Inventions

These favorites have been completely expanded with fresh content, new lab activities, and career connections designed to inspire our youth. Whether you’re exploring our newly polished lessons or utilizing our tagged legacy materials, our goal is to ensure you have the best tools at your fingertips. To access or learn more about how to use Absorb, click the links below.

Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education

Contact: Aerospace Education

https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/ae