capâ€™s eric boe to pilot last discovery shuttle mission

IN THIS ISSUEAEM Spotlight............ 2AEO Spotlight ............. 3ACE Update................. 4AE Notes.....................5Curriculum Corner ... 6-9AFA News.................10From Dep Dir Desk.....11Region to Region.......12

Fall 2010

Aerospace Education NewsAerospace Education News is the officialaerospace education quarterly publica-tion of the Civil Air Patrol at CAPNational Headquarters, Maxwell AirForce Base, Ala.

EditorJudy Stone

Contributing WritersJeff Montgomery

Susan MallettAngie St. JohnDebbie Dahl

Printing ServiceJacques Pebworth

If you have news, events, or ideas wemight consider for the newsletter, pleasesubmit them electronically [email protected].

CAP’s Eric Boe to Pilot LastDiscovery Shuttle Mission

Space Shuttle ProgramSpace Shuttle Programmanager, John Shannon,manager, John Shannon,said, “The assembly of thesaid, “The assembly of thespace station could notspace station could nothave been done withouthave been done withoutthe space shuttle, and thethe space shuttle, and theassembly of the space staassembly of the space sta --tion is one of the greattion is one of the greatengineering achievementsengineering achievementsof mankind.”of mankind.”

The final flight of the Space ShuttleDiscovery (STS-133) is scheduled tolaunch on November 1, 2010. The crewof this historical last mission for thefaithful Discovery will include one ofCAP’s own, Lt Col Eric Boe. Eric haspiloted one other mission for NASA’sspace shuttle program, STS-126Endeavour.

The STS-133 launch will be the35th mission to the International SpaceStation (ISS). This mission will deliverand install the Permanent MultipurposeModule and the Express LogisticsCarrier 4, and provide critical spacecomponents to the ISS. Robonaut 2 willalso travel to the ISS to possibly assistwith EVAs and become a permanentresident on the ISS. Robonaut 2 willbecome the first human-shaped robotto fly into space.

Another significant mission ele-ment for this shuttle flight is to carry thesignatures of students participating inthe 2010 Student Signatures in Spaceprogram. The students are the latestgroup to have their signatures flown in

space after adding their names toposters last May as part of the annualSpace Day celebration in events acrossthe country.

Eric Boe, a former CAP cadet andcurrently a senior member of theFlorida Wing, will be one of six crewmembers to take the last flight of theSpace Shuttle Discovery. Read moreabout the mission and crew of STS-133 athttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/index.html.

See associated STS-133 mission les-

son plans inside

Questions:

1. What is the significance of the

STS-133 launch scheduled for

November?

2. What CAP member will be the pilot

for this mission?

3. What is a first for this mission?

4. What event is responsible for the

Student Signatures in Space pro-

gram?

(Answers on page 5)

STS-133 crew with Robonaut (Eric Boe

is the 5th astronaut going clockwise

from Robonaut.)

2 Fall 2010 Aerospace Education News

Aerospace Education Member(AEM) Spotlight ...

Rachael Manzer, CT National CAP AE Teacher of the Year

Rachael Manzer has the “right stuff” tobe the CAP National AE Teacher of theYear for 2010. Rachael’s students areactively engaged in their own learningas they design their own investigations,collect information, and share ideas withothers. Her classroom is a learning envi-ronment that captures the essence ofscience and fun and where every childis successful. Rachael’s educationalphilosophy is that her role as a teacheris not to be the bearer of all knowledgeas much as it is to facilitate learning so

students use the inquiry skills she hastaught them to construct meaning forthemselves.

From the beginning of her teachingcareer in New Hartford, Connecticut, in1991, she became a leader in scienceeducation from local to state to nationalvenues. Locally, Rachael volunteersher time by presenting aerospace pro-grams at museums and local libraries.On the state level, in 2008, she waselected by her peers across the state toserve as President Elect of theConnecticuit Science Teachers’Association. Nationally, Rachael hasbeen the kick-off presenter for NASA,the National Institute of Aerospace(NIA), and Virginia Space GrantConsortium two-week educator work-shops.

One of Rachael Manzer’s manyaccomplishments was designing andsecuring funding for the Frontiers inScience: Career Exploration Program.The purpose of the program was to helpminority students build an awareness ofS T E M ( S c i e n c e , Te c h n o l o g y ,Engineering, and Mathematics) careersand show pathways to help studentsenter the STEM career pipeline. Thisprogram immersed 150 middle schoolstudents from 21 towns in STEM careerexploration. Rachael Manzer broughtindustry leaders right into the classroomand the students out to the industry tosee careers in aerospace in action.Students visited Pratt and Whitneywhere jet engines are built and HamiltonSundstrand where the space suit isbuilt.

This year Rachael will initiate theimplementation of CAP’s K-6 AerospaceConnections in Education (ACE)Program at her new STEM Magnet

School where she is the STEM coordi-nator.

Rachael Manzer is continuing toexpand her knowledge and resources toshare with her students and her peers.She goes to great lengths to present herpassion to them...even to the edge ofspace. As one of the finalists in theTeacher in Space initiative, she hasjoined six other teachers from acrossthe country as the Pathfinder 7, a groupof astronaut teachers who will travel intosuborbital space to conduct experi-ments and then bring the experienceback to the classroom. Similarly,Rachael has experienced the CAPTeacher Orientation Program (TOP)Flight which takes teachers on flights inCAP aircraft to get them excited aboutflying and share that experience withtheir students.

With educators, such as RachaelManzer, promoting aerospace to stu-dents through their own personal expe-riences and excitement, the next gener-ation of scientists, engineers, and airand space pioneers are on the thresholdof even more exciting discoveries andexploration. Congratulations, Rachael!

“Just imagine 240 stu-dents gathered in the gym-nasium around a 21 inchtelevision watching thefirst shuttle flight. It wasat that moment that Ibecame inspired and fasci-nated about the explo-ration of space.”

---Rachael Manzer

Rachael Manzer (left) with CAP

National Commander, Maj Gen Amy S.

Courter (right) at CAP National Board

Awards Banquet

Rachael with aviation pioneer, Mary Feik, at

CAP National Board.

Photo courtesy of: Maj Stephen Rocketto,Director of Aerospace Education CT WG

Aerospace Education News Fall 2010 3

Major Robert H. Thomas,Aerospace Education Officer for WalcoComposite Squadron in the WisconsinWing, received the National AerospaceEducation Officer of the Year Award inSan Diego at the CAP Annual NationalBoard and Conference for 2010. MajThomas enthusiastically promotes allaspects of the Aerospace EducationProgram in his squadron. The cadets,senior members, and education com-munity benefit from Maj Thomas’s dedi-cation and willingness to go above andbeyond to provide hands-on aviation,space and technology opportunities.From promoting the Yeager test for sen-ior members to participation in theAerospace Education Excellence (AEX)program for cadets, Maj Thomasdevotes time and energy to a programthat he has a great interest in seeingsucceed.

Since 2001, Maj Thomas has set ahigh standard for the members of hissquadron. He has not only achievedbenchmarks in his own CAP profession-al development (attending both theNational Aerospace Education OfficersSchool and the Great Lakes RegionAEO School, passing the Yeager test,and achieving the senior rating in theAE Specialty Track), but also expectinggreat strides forward from the othermembers of his squadron in aerospaceeducation.

Maj Thomas also gives freely of histime, experience, and knowledge in thecommunity through career presenta-tions, aerospace education classes fororganizations and schools, and Teacher

Orientation Program (TOP) Flights forcommunity educators who are CAPAerospace Education Members(AEMs).

Maj Thomas’s desire to pass on hisexperiences and knowledge dates backto childhood when he spent hisallowance on airplane model kits andaviation magazines. He soloed at age16, got his private pilot’s license at age18, flew A-7s in the Navy, and retired

from American Airlines in 2007. Theprofessionalism and commitment thathe has exhibited his entire life is beingshared with the members of the WalcoComposite Squadron. They are trulyfortunate to have him as theirAerospace Education Officer and inspir-ing mentor. Congratulations to MajThomas and to CAP for recognizing hisworth and value.

After a Teacher Orientation Program (TOP)Flight with Maj Thomas, teacher Jeff Tracysaid excitedly, as he exited the airplane,”Mygoal for aerospace education is to take mystudents higher than the plane ride I justtook!”

Aerospace Education Officer (AEO)Spotlight...............

Maj Robert H. Thomas (WI-184 AEO) National CAP Aerospace Education

Officer of the Year

Above left: Maj Thomas instructs teachers during a TOP Flight

Above right: Maj Thomas shares his enthusiasm for airplanes with a student at

the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture

Left: CAP National

Commander, Maj

Gen Amy Courter,

presents Maj

Robert Thomas

with the AEO of

the Year Award


The 2010-2011 ACE Program hasgrown from 6,500 students to 9,500 stu-dents, with more schools registeringweekly. About 350 educators across 26states are involved in this high-interest,structured enrichment program.

What is the ACE Program? It is agrade-level specific aerospace-themedprogram that focuses on enrichingSTEM subjects to provide relevance toacademics, encourage good moralcharacter, and teach physical fitnesshabits for living a healthy and drug-freelifestyle. All program materials are pro-vided free to teachers and include anational academic standards-basedcurriculum guide, a lesson manipulativeitem for each student, and special ACEt-shirts (while supplies last). Upon com-pletion of the program, teachers receivean ACE plaque, and each studentreceives an ACE certificate. The ACE

Program materials are additional to thematerials received as an AerospaceEducation Member (AEM).

If you are an elementary educatorin grades K-6 and are interested inthis program, please [email protected]. Learn more aboutthis exciting program and keep up withcurrent ACE announcements by click-ing the “ACE” link atwww.capmembers.com/ae.

K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education(ACE) Program

Students build team spirit, as well as

an interest in STEM subjects, with ACE

curriculum activities.....

Aerospace Educat ion

Workshops 2010

Read about three of the many examplesof exciting AE professional developmentopportunities supported by CAP this year.Check out the AE Announcement page atwww.capmembers.com/ae during theyear to find out about upcoming opportu-nities. Let the editor know of anything YOUhave going on to include in our Region to

Region section of this publication.

• The Tennessee Aerospace

Education Workshop at the Universityof Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennesseefrom July 5-23 awarded three hours ofgraduate credit to each teacher whoparticipated. Not only did the teachersearn professional development credit,but they also enjoyed an orientationfllight aboard a KC-135 tanker, observ-ing the refueling of twelve F-22 fightersover northern Florida at an altitude of35,000 feet. The teachers describedthis flight as a “once in a lifetime expe-rience.” The director of this course is

SER Deputy Chief of Staff forAerospace Education, Lt Col DaveGarner. • The Space Exploraton Educators

Conference (SEEC) at the JohnsonSpace Center in Houston, Texas was agreat success in February 2010. CAPtaught several sessions and the TexasWing flew AEMs in Teacher OrientationProgram (TOP) Flights. The same expe-riences will be offered at the February 3-5,2011 SEEC event. For information, go tohttp://www.spacecenter.org/Teacher

sSEEC.html.

• Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida is theplace to be if you love airplanes andhands-on activities. Sun ‘n Fun is one ofthe one of the world’s greatest aviationfly-ins. CAP is involved in many aspectsof this event including AE participationin the special Aerospace Educator’sWorkshop that is held one day duringthe fly-in. Be sure to look for informa-tion on the 2011 Sun ‘n Fun eventscheduled for March 29-April 3 athttp://www.sun-n-fun.org/FlyIn.aspx.

ACE Mascot “Cappy”

talks with ACE students

Top: 2010 Tennessee AE Workshop par-

ticipants visiting the US Space &

Rocket Center

Center: Teacher activities at SEEC 2010

Botttom: Workshop fun at Sun ‘n Fun


Aerospace Education Notes......

Answers to front page story questions:

1. The STS-133 launch will be the last

one for the orbiter Discovery.

2. Eric Boe will be the CAP senior mem-

ber that will be the pilot on the STS-133

mission to the ISS.

3. Robonaut 2 will become the first

human-shaped robot to to fly into space.

4. Annual Space Day

celebrations across the

country are responsible

for the 2010 Student

Signatures in Space

program.

Aerospace EducationExcellence (AEX)

Award Program StartsNew Year!

It’s time to sign up for the 2010-2011AEX program. Each year the programbegins October 1 and ends the followingSeptember 30.

What is AEX? AEX is a fun and pop-ular hands-on activity program free to ourmembers . Since the AEX application andprogram completion reports are online,many units and schools easily takeadvantage of this program. To sign up forthis year, go to e-services athttps://www.capnhq.gov, enter yourpassword, and click on AEX on the rightside of the page. When you complete the

program, simply go back into e-servicesand fill out the completion form. The unitor classroom receives a plaque and eachcadet or student receives a certificateupon completing the program.

If additional information is neededabout the AEX program, please go tohttp://www.capmembers.com/ae. If youhave further questions, contact DebbieDahl at [email protected].

TOP Flights Continueto Inspire Educators

CAP Teacher Orientation Program(TOP) Flights have had tremendoussuccess in many wings that have par-ticipated. Teachers who take the flightsare excited, rejuvenated, and motivatedabout teaching STEM subjects. Thepilots who fly the teachers are equallyexcited to share the wonder of flightwith the teachers.

This year sixteen CAP wings haveflown over 200 teachers in TOP Flights.Several states are implementing theprogram this fall. Two current examplesof successful programs are Idaho Wingand Florida Wing. The excitement thatthe volunteers in these wings are shar-ing with teachers is inspiring.

Note to all AEMs: If you are acurrent Aerospace Education Memberand have not taken a TeacherOrientation Program Flight, please letJudy Stone ([email protected])know of your interest and she will putyou in touch with the person in yourstate who can make the flight happen. Ifyou have renewed your membershipfor the year and want to take a flight inthe new fiscal year (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30),contact Judy for information. You areeligible to fly once a year as long as youremain an AEM or a teacher who is aregular senior member of CAP.

Idaho Superintendent of Public

Instruction, Tom Luna; teacher,

Kimmie Arrasmith and pilot, Lt Col

Ralph Getchel (left to right)

Teachers from Kenwood Elementary

in Florida receive a pre-flight briefing

before their TOP Flight

“Kenwwod teaches the parts ofthe plane and their functions.Now I get to give first-handexperience. It was great!”

--- from a Kenwood teacher’s evaluation of TOP Flight

STS-133


CURRICUL UM CORNER.. . . .GRA DES K-4

ROBOTS-HELPERS FOR ASTRONAUTSObjective: Students will learn what arobot is and how robots help astronautsThey will also simulate how difficult it isfor a robot to do human tasks.

National Science Standards:

Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry• Understanding about scientific

inquiryContent Standard E: Science andTechnology

• Abilities of technological designContent Standard G: History andNature of Science

• Science as a human endeavorUnifying Concepts and Processes

• Form and function

Grade Level(s): K-5

Teacher Background Information:

The STS-133 missionof the SpaceS h u t t l eO r b i t e rD i s c o v e r ywill have afirst event forspaceflight;the astro-nauts will bejoined by arobot withhuman- l ike

form. Robonaut 2 (R2) will be transport-ed to the International Space Stationaboard Discovery to help astronautswith future tasks on the ISS. Robonaut2 looks like the upper body of a person.It has a chest, head, and arms.Robonaut 2 has the ability to use spacetools similar to a human astronaut.Robonaut 2 is expected to help astro-nauts on the ISS do the routine, repeti-tive jobs that have to be done to keepthe ISS in working order. The plans toget R2 to the space station and opera-tional have involved many engineeringchallenges. The stresses if launch on

the sensitive parts of R2 have to betaken into consideration, as well as themicrogravity conditions in which R2 willperform in when it reaches the ISS posemany challenges. The future of roboticinteraction with the space environment(as well as with and without humanpartners) is where R2 becomes the firstof its kind to “go where no human-likerobot has gone before.”

Student Information (taken from a

NASA electronic storybook for

young children on robots found at

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstu

dents/k-4/stories/ames-robots-story-

book.html):

Robots are machines. They can do

some things that people can do, and

they can do some things that people

can't. Robots don't have to eat. They

don't have to drink. And they don't

get lonely.

Robots can do the same things over

and over exactly the same way. They

don't get bored. They don't get tired.

And best of all, robots can do things

that are too dangerous for us to do.

That is why NASA uses robots. They

send robots on long trips. They send

them to places where there is no air

to breathe. They send them where

people can't go, or can't go yet.

The list below will tell you about a

few NASA robots. Some are still

being tested. Some are being used

right now!

• Robonaut looks a lot like a

human. It has a head, arms, and

upper body. Robonaut will go out-

side the International Space Station.

It may work with astronauts on

spacewalks. It may even go where

it’s not safe for humans.

• The space shuttle has a robot

arm. It helps move things into and

out of the shuttle. It can also hold an

astronaut who is working in space.

• Mars rovers are robots. They

drive around on the land. Three

NASA rovers are on Mars. Two of

them are still working!

• Stardust was the first robot sent

to a comet. It brought bits of the

comet back to Earth in January 2006.

In the past, robots have helped with

NASA’s exploration initiatives. In the

future, we will use robots to help in

preparation and deployment of

humankind’s return to the moon,

and to Mars and beyond.

Materials:

• Pictures from the NASA electronicstorybook to share either on a com-puter or by putting together a physical display

• Objects to use for robot assistant simulation such as: unsharpenedpencils; hand-held pencil sharp-ener; safety scissors; coat or jacketwith buttons; piggy bank (non-break-able kind); pennies

• 4-8 pair of heavy gloves, such asworkman’s gloves or snow gloves (ifyou can get children-sized gloves, theactivity will be more successful)

• Robot picture to color and cut out (the picture provided on the nextpage may be enlarged if desired)

• Crayons

Preparation before activity:

1. Prepare pictures of robots from theNASA electronic storybook in a display,copied individually for each student, orviewed in the computer lab electronical-ly for background on robots.

STS 133 crew with

Robonaut 2


2. Prepare materials for robot assistantsto accomplish such as: putting penniesin piggybank, sharpening pencils, but-toning a coat or jacket, cutting out arobot picture, or anything you think willdemonstrate the difficulty a robot haswhen trying to manipulate human tools.

3. Copy the robot picture for students tocolor at the end of the activity. Cut outand add children’s names for a class-room display.

Procedure:1. Ask students what they think a robotis and what a robot can do. Post theirresponses on sentence strips or on achart tablet to discuss when they arefinished with the activity.

2. Talk with students about NASA’srobots, and, particularly, Robonaut 2.

3. Show them pictures of robots thatyou have prepared in preparation forthis activity.

4. Tell students that they will be simulat-ing (or pretending) to do a task that arobot assistant might do.

5. Have students try to do the task with-out the gloves and then with the gloves.

6. Ask students what the gloves repre-sent in this activity. (Answer: The glovesrepresent the difficulty most robots havewith fine motor skills, such as buttoning,cutting, and using tools (like the pencilsharpener) due to their limited finger

and hand movement.)7. Remind students that robots arebeing improved every day, but most ofthe time robots have a lot of troubledoing the tasks that most humans findeasy.

Extension: • Ask students what they think would

be the difficulty (from the human’s pointof view) of a person doing the job of arobot. (Such things as the task beingdangerous, too repetitive, or bringing onfatigue and boredom, are possibleanswers.)

• Have students share their pictures ofrobots that they colored and tell theclass one thing they learned about arobot from this activity.

Directions and student sheet for “Robots - Helpers for Astronauts”

Name: _________________________

1. See how fast you can do the taskyour teacher shows you.

2. Now put on the gloves your teachergives you and try to do the same taskagain.

3. What was the difference betweendoing the task without gloves and withgloves?

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

4. Do you think a robot could do thistask easily? ___________________Why or why not?

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

5. Discuss your answers with yourteacher and your class.

My Robot ___________________

By: ______________________________________________________

NAME AND COLOR THE ROBOT. CUT OUT THE FINISHED PIC-

TURE AND GIVE IT TO YOUR TEACHER TO SHARE WITH THE

CLASS. DISCUSS WHAT YOUR ROBOT CAN DO.

Objective: Students will learn theimportance of providing the correctpackaging material to protect their“chipanaut” during transport. Studentswill be able to apply this activity to thecoming STS 133 mission and thepreparation of Robonaut 2 for transport.

National Science Standards:Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry

• Abilities necessary to do scientificinquiry

• Understandings about scientificinquiry

Content Standard E: Science andTechnology

• Abilities of technological design• Understandings about science andtechnology

Content Standard F: Science inPersonal and Social Perspectives• Science and technology in local,

national, and global challengesContent Standard G: History andNature of Science

• Science as a human endeavor

Grade Level(s): 5-12

Background Information:Eric Boe and the crew of the STS-133will not only take the PermanentMultipurpose Module (PMM), theExpress Logistics Carrier 4, and criticalspare components to the InternationalSpace Station, but will also have a VIR(Very Important Robot) onboard.Robonaut 2 (R2) will be the first human-like robot to go into space. R2 will notoccupy a seat alongside the astronauts.Instead, R2 will be gently packed in acarefully-constructed box inside thePMM. Many modifications had to beengineered for this sensitive piece ofequipment to travel to the ISS. Suchconsiderations as launch vibrations,lack of repair parts for R2, noiserequirement level for the ISS, andharmful electromagnetic waves, wereaddressed by the engineers and otherscientists. Trying to come up with pack-

aging that would not only protect R2and its delicate systems, but would alsowork in the time, space, and weightrequirements for the mission, was adaunting task. NASA and its engineer-ing partners tackled this problem withingenuity and the ability to overcomeseemingly insurmountable odds andtime tables to come up with a protectivebox that would reduce the launch-induced vibrations, but also allow R2 tobe removed from the box with minimaleffort. Mission accomplished! If all goesaccording to plan, R2 is ready to blastoff with Eric Boe and the STS-133 crewon November 1, 2010 at 4:40 pm EST.

Materials: (per group)• Student sheet (next page)• Project materials: one potato chip,paper, cardboard, glue, tape, string, cot-ton balls, plastic wrap, toothpicks, pop-sicle sticks, foil, othermaterials you have onhand, items studentsmay suggest to bring infor everyone’s use, anda preaddressed mail-ing label to your school • Graph paper andpencils

Note: Be sure each team has the samematerials available to them.

Procedure:1. To find more background material tobegin discussing the manufacturingengineering and packaging process, goto this complete lesson at:http://www.tryengineering.org/lessons/shipthechip.pdf.

2. Divide students into groups of 2-3students, providing a set of materialsper group.

3. Explain that the students must workas teams of “engineers” who have beengiven the challenge of designing thesmallest, lightest package of all theengineering teams in your classroomthat will protect a single potato chip(representing the “passenger”) throughthe mail from a remote location to yourschool. The arriving chip must be edi-ble, although students shouldn’t eatthem after their journey through thepostal system. (This rule simple pre-vents students from applying any sub-stance to the chip to make it stronger.)

4. Students will need to research theirlocal postal regulations to determine ifthere are minimum sizes, weights, orother considerations they’ll need to con-sider in their design.

5. Students will first meet, plan, anddraw their planned package.

6. Next, students will construct theirpackages and provide them to theteacher for mailing.

7. Once all mailed packages havearrived back at the school, students willweigh, measure, and evaluate the con-tents of the packages.

8. Students will complete the evaluationsheet and present their reflections tothe class.


CURRICUL UM CORNER (GRA DES 5 - 1 2 )

“Ship the Chip”“Ship the Chip”(Developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics(Developed by the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) as part of TryEngineering at www.tryengineering.org)Engineers (IEEE) as part of TryEngineering at www.tryengineering.org)

Robonaut 2 with crew of STS-133


S t u d e n t W o r k s h e e t a n d E v a l u a t i o n f o r “ S h i p t h e C h i p ”

Engineering Team Names:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________

Engineering Teamwork and Planning:You are a team of manufacturing engi-neers given the challenge of designingthe smallest, lightest package of all theengineering teams in your classroomthat will protect a single potato chip -your “chipanaut” (provided by yourteacher) shipped through the mail froma remote location back to your school.

• Planning and Design Phase

Each team should be provided with aset of materials. Review these as agroup and draw your packaging designon a sheet of graph paper. Think aboutpackage strength, size, and weight asyou design your package. You mightwant to consider how well your packagewill survive if it finds itself at the bottomof a stack of heavy boxes during mail-ing! There are also several rules youmust follow, which your teacher willreview with you so your package is notdisqualified.

• Construction Phase

Build your package, and then completethe questions below (on the back sideof this paper):1. How similar was your design to theactual package you built?2. If you found you needed to make

changes during the construction phase,describe why you made the revisions.

• Shipping Phase

Your teacher will devise a mailing sys-tem for all the packages created in yourclassroom. Be sure your package has aunique code on the outside to identify towhich team it belongs. Packages maybe marked fragile. No overnight ship-ping!

Evaluation Phase:

Once all packages have arrived in themailbox back at your school, you willwork in teams to evaluate the packages.You will not evaluate your own package.

Scoring:

The following three measurementsmust be made for each incoming pack-age (the mass and volume measure-ments must be rounded to three signifi-cant digits):

1. Mass of the package in kilograms.(Use a metric scale to determine mass.)

2. Volume of the package in cubic cen-timeters. (To find the volume of a rec-tangular box, multiply the length x widthx height of the box after measuringeach in centimeters.)

3. Intactness score of the “chipanaut”on the following scale:• 100 points: like new; perfect• 50 points: slightly damaged; cracked,

but still in one piece• 10 points: broken in 2-5 pieces• 5 points: broken in 6-20 pieces• 1 point: broken into more than 20

pieces; crumbled

Determine the overall score for eachpackage to determine the top scoring“engineering team.” Use the followingequation:

Intactness score (c)Overall Score = [mass in kg (a) x

volume in cc (b)]Example: mass (a) = 0.145 kgvolume (b) = 240 ccintactness score = 100100 / 0.145 Kg x 240 cc = 2.87

Make a chart to keep track of the pack-ages for each engineering team in yourclass and see who has the best overallscore.

Reflection:

1. What aspect of the design of thepackage that had the best overall scoredo you think led to its success?

2. If you had a chance to do this projectagain, what would your team have donedifferently?

Presentation:

As a group, make a presentation to theclass about what you learned duringthis activity and how this activity illus-trates how important packaging designand engineering are to the process ofshipping delicate materials, such as R2or your “chipanaut.”

(Top) Engineers placing R2 in his

protective box

(Bottom) R2 secured in his box

for the STS-133 mission

CAP applauds the Air ForceAssociation each quarter for the manyyears of financial support to CAP’s unitsand teacher members to perpetuate theAE mission of both the AFA and CAP.Once again, CAP sends appreciation tothe AFA for its belief in the worth ofCAP’s youth development programs.Congratulations to this quarter’s AFA/ CAPEducator $250 Grant Winners to completeexcellent AE projects and programs, asnoted below:• Melanie Byers, Kettering MiddleSchool, OH - “Design and Physics ofRocketry Project”• Danna Chatwell, Woodlawn BeachMiddle School, FL - “Flight SimulatorDesign and Flight Project”• Carla Chin, San Jose CatholicSchool, FL - “Aerospace PhysicalFitness and Solar System Project”• Brandi DeSandro, Pike CountyIndian Education, AL - “AerospaceHistory, Career Exploration, and ExhibitProject”• Grant Felice, Mason County MiddleSchool, KY - “Logitech Physics,Geography, and Geometry of FlightProject”• Kelly Flindt, Owasso 7th GradeCenter, OK - “Venier Sound Meter andGlider Project”• Revonne Hammond, OakmontElementary School, OH - “NationalMuseum of the USAF Tour and HubbleImax Trip”• Tracy Huemoeller, Anthem School,AZ - “Third Grade ACE ProgramComponent Project”

• Heidi Humecky, McKelvieIntermediate School, NH - “5th-6thGrade After-School Aerospace Club”• Jennifer Kane, Rio HondoElementary, CA - “AEX Award Programwith Griffith Observatory Trip”•Brenda Kuhns, Jardine MiddleSchool, KS - “Venier Labquest andPhotogate/Laser Physics Project”• Matthew Maisano, ConnestogaValley High School, PA - “Airport CareerExploration & Discovery FlightExperience”• Cynthia Miller, Anthem School, AZ -“Lunar Station Project for Tosito’sAerospace Challenge”• Jean Pelezo, Morgantown RoadElementary School, NC - “Family NightStar Gazing Party”• Dorinda Risenhoover, Union CityPublic Schools, OK - “Motions andForces Rocketry Project”• Ricardo Soria, Choctawhatchee HighSchool, FL - “Engineers for AmericaSTEM Initiative”• Lynn Toney, Boaz IntermediateSchool, AL - “Planet EarthEnvironmental Project”• Megan Tucker, Kenwood Elementary,FL - “Space Exploration EducatorsConference Presentation”

To find out about all the partnershipprograms between the AFA and CAP,please go to the AFA Partnership link atwww.capmembers.com/ae. If you arenot a member of a local AFA chapter,you can find information on how tobecome a part of the AFA’s communityoutreach programs in your area at that

same Web site. Some photos from recent CAP unit

grant recipients show the diversity ofprograms conducted to inspire youthtoward STEM subjects and careers:

Air Force Assoc ia t ion Par tnersh ip


Top: The Chicago Composite Squadron ,

under the leadership of 1Lt Barb

Buckner, partnered with the Air Force

Academy High School to conduct a rock-

etry program funded by an AFA Grant.

Bottom: The SER-GA-023 Blue Knight

Squadron, under the leadership of Capt

Geoffrey M. Chandler, held a community

Aerospace Fair with the funds received

from the AFA Grant.

CAP and STARBASECollaboration

The CAP is working with DoDSTARBASE Academies across thenation to help perpetuate teacher andstudent STEM subject interest. By pro-viding CAP programs and products,teachers can continue to inspire stu-dents toward STEM careers. At printing,over 30,000 students had been provid-ed CAP resources to promote aero-space education and the CAP’s DrugDemand Reduction Program’s “BetterThings to Do Than Drugs” message toyoung people.

CAP and AFA - Supporting STEM with ACE

The Air Force Association and CAPare supporting a new college-levelROTC Arnold Air Society and SilverWings initiative, the Elementary STEMOrientation (ESO) Program. ROTCcadets are mentoring elementary stu-dents toward an interest in STEM sub-jects and careers by using CAP’s K-6Aerospace Connections in Education(ACE) Program. It is hoped that throughmentorship and school collaborationthese positive role models will helpyoung students choose positive person-al and professional life goals.

E a g e r y o u n g

rocketeers dur-

ing CAP Sq AL-

118’s Community

Rocket Day in

Pell City; funded

by AFA grant.

(Photos by Beth

Shurbutt, PAO)

From The Deputy Director’sDesk........Dr. Jeff Montgomery AE Summit 2010AE Summit 2010

Another successful AE Summitwas recently completed at the NationalBoard and Conference in San Diego onSeptember 2, 2010. Twenty CAP mem-bers attended with most being either aRegion Deputy Chief o f Staff for Aerospace Education or a WingDirector of Aerospace Education. Thegoal of this year’s summit was to take inventory of where CAP’s AE programis today and where we are headed inthe future. The summit was presided over by Lt Col Mike McArdle, the

National AE Advisor, with some of NHQAE staff also in attendance. Statusreports were given on all of the currentand upcoming AE products and pro-grams. Future curriculum programs cur-rently under development include robot-ics, remote control aircraft, and satelliteimagery. Collaborative partnership ini-tiatives are underway with STARBASE,AFJROTC, Aeronautical ModelingAcademy, and National Flight Academywhich should greatly enhance the AEprogram for cadets and schools acrossAmerica. Program updates will continueto be disseminated via the AE Web site

and in CAP’s AE news publications. LtCol McArdle is creating a leadershipteam to continue improving the manyaspects of CAP’s AE mission to includebetter communication with and supportto the AEOs in the field. Lt Col McArdlewill be accepting applications for thesepositions very soon. More detailed min-utes of the summit are being sent to theregion and wing Directors of AE. They,in turn, will send this information to theirfield Aerospace Education Officers, whoare encouraged to dialogue with DAEsabout ideas, concerns, and, of course,best practices to share nationwide.


National AE Awards The following Aerospace

Education awards were announced atthe September 2010 National Boardand Conference in San Diego:AEO of the Year – Maj Robert Thomas,Walco Composite Sq, Wisconsin WingTeacher of the Year – RachaelManzer, East Hartland, ConnecticutFrank G. Brewer CAP Memorial AEAwards:• Cadet-C/Lt Col Haley Blevins-MER

• Senior-Lt Col Randy Carlson-RMR

•Individual/Organization-Evergreen

International Aviation-PCR

• Lifetime-Lt Col John Johnson-MER

AFA AE Cadet of the Year- C/Lt Alexa

Solorio – Arizona Wing

AE Mission Awards:National 1st Place – Wisconsin

National 2nd Place – TexasNational 3rd Place – Florida Region Mission Winners:

NER – New YorkMER – North CarolinaSER – FloridaGLR – WisconsinNCR – MinnesotaSWR – TexasRMR – UtahPCR – California

Aerospace DimensionsThe second edition of the

Aerospace Dimensions modules hasbeen completed. Beginning Oct 1,the modules will be available as partof the new member packet forcadets. Cadets using the currentmodules may continue to use themor may switch to the new modules.Online tests will be available forboth editions. By January 1, 2012,

we anticipate that all cadets will beusing the second edition modules. InOctober, NHQ AE will send a copy of

the new modules to each cadet andcomposite squadron, each group, wing,and region AEO, and to the aerospace

education members. Please be onthe lookout for this new set ofexcellent middle school-leveledAE resources. These products arealso available on eServices, andfor download from the Lessonsand Resources section ofwww.capmembers.com/ae.

National AE Award Winners (pictured

on right with Maj Gen Amy S. Courter,

CAP National Commander):

Top left to right: Brewer Organization,

Evergreen International; CAP Teacher

of the Year, Rachael Manzer; Brewer

Cadet,C/Lt Col Haley Blevins;

Bottom left to right: Brewer Senior, Lt

Col Randy Carlson; AEO of the Year,

Maj Robert Thomas; Brewer Lifetime,

Lt Col John Johnson


REGION TO REGIONNORTHEAST REGION

October 12-13

The New Jersey Science Conventionwill be held at the Garden State ExhibitCenter, DoubleTree Hotel, and HolidayInn in Somerset, New Jersey.

http://www.njsc-online.com/

October 22-24

The Northeast Region of Civil Air Patrolwill hold an Aerospace EducationOfficer School at the USS Intrepid Sea,Air, and Space Museum in New YorkCity, New York. For registration andmore information, visit:

http://www.ner.cap.gov/ae/

AEOAcademy.php

MIDDLE EAST REGIONOctober 10-24

The first annual USA Science &Engineering Festival will be held on theNational Mall and surrounding areas inWashington, D.C. This is a FREE eventwith a culminating event of more than1500 hands-on sc ience act iv i -t ies on October 23-24.

http://www.usasciencefestival.org/

November 3-5

The South Carolina Science Councilwill hold its annual conference atMyrtle Beach, South Carolina.

http://www.southcarolinascience.

org/conference.html

November 11-13

National Science Teachers Associationwill hold an area conference at theHilton Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland.

http://www.nsta.org/conferences/

2010bal/?lid=hp

GREAT LAKES REGIONNovember 13

The Detroit Area Council of Teachers ofMathematics and The Metropolitan DetroitScience Teachers Association will holdtheir joint Fall Conference at LamphereHigh School in Madison Heights,Michigan.

http://www.dactm.org/mc/page.

do?sitePageID=90324

SOUTHEAST REGIONOctober 19-21

The National Business AviationAssociation (NBAA) will hold its 63rdAnnual Meeting and Convention at theGeorgia World Congress Center inAtlanta, Georgia.

http://web.nbaa.org/events/

amc/2010/

October 31-November 3

STEMtech, the League for Innovation inthe Community College’s first annualScience, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics conference, will be held atthe Walt Disney World Swan andDolphin in Orlando, Florida.

http://www.league.org/2010

stemtech/

December 2-4

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) will hold an area conference atthe Gaylord Opryland Hotel &Convention Center in Nashville,Tennessee.


2010nas/?lid=hp

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONOctober 28-30

National Science Teachers Association(NSTA) will hold its first fall area confer-ence at the Kansas City MarriottDowntown in Kansas City, Missouri.


2010kan/?lid=hp

January 19-22, 2011

The Association for Science TeacherEducation (ASTE) will hold itsInternational Conference at the HiltonMinneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

http://theaste.org/meetings/

2011 conference/

SOUTHWEST REGION October 30-31

The Fort Worth Alliance Air Show will beheld at Fort Worth Alliance Airport inFort Worth, Texas.

http://www.alianceairshow.com/

October 30

Sally Ride Science Festival for 5th-8thgrade girls will be held at the Universityof Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas.The featured talk will be given by edu-cator astronaut, Barbara Morgan.

http://www.sallyridescience.com/

festivals/10uta1030

November 6

Sally Ride Science Festival for 5th-8thgrade girls will be held at RiceUniversity in Houston, Texas.

http://www.sallyridefestival.com/

festivals/10rice.1106

No events for this issue.

October 22-24

The California Science EducationConference will be held in Sacramento,California. http://www.cascience.org/csta/conf_

home.asp

January 4-7, 2011

The 9th Annual Hawaii InternationalConference on Education will be held atthe Hilton Hawaiian Village BeachResort & Spa in Honolulu, Hawaii.

http://www.hiceducation.org/

November 1, 2010

Launch target for final mission oforbiter Discovery.

REGION TO REGION

Special Events

PACIFIC REGION

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

For information on other pertinent dates for CAP

Members and Educators, go to our calendar at

www.capmembers.com/ae.

capâ€™s eric boe to pilot last discovery shuttle mission

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