Cadets take to the (virtual) skies with STEM night

10/30/2019 -- Hosting their first 5th Wednesday all night STEM kit meeting at T.C. Williams High School, cadets and senior members of the Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron, Civil Air Patrol in Alexandria had a blast trying out all of the squadron and personal STEM kit items. From flight simulators to drones, calculator robots to Sphero Star Wars droids. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

Civil Air Patrol is embracing the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) capabilities for all of it's missions. Senior members and cadets who are at least age 16 and complete their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate can participate in the CAP sUAS programs. Missions range from search and rescue, geo mapping, disaster response, and even counter UAS training. Cadets also have many opportunities to apply for funded FAA private pilot training though various CAP programs and scholarships.

Civil Air Patrol’s awarding-winning aerospace education program promotes aerospace, aviation and STEM-related careers with engaging, standards-based, hands-on curriculum and activities. It shapes the experiences and aspirations of youth both in and outside of CAP’s cadet program.

Civil Air Patrol Aerospace/STEM Education Programs bring over 40 free fun and engaging products and programs to our members in squadrons and classrooms throughout the nation. We serve adults and youth in pre-K through 12th grades. We reach 700,000 youth each year with our hands-on Aerospace/STEM lessons and materials.

The Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron serves the City of Alexandria and conducts aerospace education programs, ground and airborne emergency services support, and leadership and character development programs for young people, and is currently recruiting new cadet members from 12-18, and adults from 18 years of age, no experience required. The squadron currently meets every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302. For more information visit dc060.natcapwing.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DC060 or follow @CAP_DC060 on Instagram.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP's 63,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 26,000 young people participating in CAP's Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.