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Superintendents Explore STEM Education

  • 03/10/16

Maxwell AFP, Ala. — NPRWEB — Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters is joining with the Air Force Association’s Montgomery Chapter to provide School Superintendents of Alabama members a day to learn about the many military-related science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational and career opportunities available to students and educators in formal and informal educational programs.

The visit by Dr. Tommy Bice, Alabama state superintendent, and superintendents from around the state will be hosted Wednesday by organizations on Maxwell Air Force Base, including the 908th Airlift Wing, Air University and the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development.

The group will begin the day with a welcome and educational message from the president and commander of Air University, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast. Kwast will talk about the new Air Force Cyber College and will emphasize the importance of national cyber security sustainment through education and training of the future cyber workforce.

Col. Adam Willis, commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, and his staff will follow with educational opportunity discussions and will prepare the group for an orientation flight aboard a C-130 transport plane. The C-130, provided by the 357th Airlift Squadron, will take the superintendents on a round-trip flight to Birmingham and will help demonstrate the varied jobs available in military aviation.

The group will then gather at CAP’s National Headquarters, where luncheon presentations from CAP, the AFA and Air Force Junior ROTC will showcase K-12 aviation and STEM products and programs that can enhance schools’ core curriculum and help guide students toward high-demand, exciting STEM careers.

Presentations will promote free STEM programs from CAP, teacher professional development experiences and AFA STEM competitions in cyber and space, as well as career preparation in the CAP and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet programs. The group will then be given a special experience at STARBASE Maxwell, a STEM program for the River Region’s fifth-graders.

“Bringing the educational leaders of our state to Maxwell and to CAP’s National Headquarters gives an opportunity to engage with the Total Air Force family and the high-demand STEM career opportunities available to all student,” said Don Rowland, CAP chief operating officer.

Scott Key, Montgomery AFA chapter president, added, “The efforts of the Montgomery AFA chapter and our partner sponsors to educate the educators and provide stimulating and challenging educational STEM programs and mentor support will bring great dividends to our schools, our communities and ultimately our nation.”

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