Aerospace Education
Aerospace Education
"Inspire the next generation of aviation, space, and cyber leaders through STEM education." — CAP Aerospace Education Mission
600,000+ youth reached nationwide · 40+ free programs & products · Pre-K through 12th grade · Congressionally mandated mission
Aerospace Education is one of the five required core elements of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program — and it's one of the most exciting. From fundamentals of flight all the way to astronomy, robotics, rocketry, and cyber, CAP's Aerospace Education program gives cadets and students a genuine, hands-on education that goes far beyond any textbook. This isn't classroom-only learning. Squadron 131 cadets build things, launch things, compete nationally, and contribute real data to NASA.
📚 Curriculum & Learning
40+ Free Educational Programs — Pre-K Through College CAP's Aerospace Education program offers more than 40 educational products delivering hundreds of lesson plans to senior members, cadets, and educator members. Aligned to national academic standards, the lessons cover pre-K through 12th grade and beyond — ranging from a 685-page high school and college textbook all the way to hands-on activity booklets for young learners. Topics include rocketry, robotics, flight, space, weather, mathematics, physical science, life science, and unmanned aerial systems.
The Aerospace Dimensions Program The academic program for cadets is built around a two-year cycle. Phase I and II cadets are instructed using the Aerospace Dimensions material. As the cycle repeats, Phase III and IV cadets move on to Aerospace: Journey of Flight, which builds upon the Dimensions program and provides a deeper understanding of aerospace topics while creating leadership opportunities for senior cadets to assist in instruction for junior cadets.
🔬 STEM Kits — Hands-On Learning, Free of Charge
CAP's Aerospace Education STEM Kit program provides STEM resources for hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Kits come at no cost to recipients and are designed to enhance current CAP educational curriculum — ready for immediate implementation. The STEM Kit program continues to set new records. In recent years it has filled over 3,200 applications, reached over one million participants, and distributed over 7,400 kits nationwide.
Squadron 131 has put these kits to use firsthand. Our cadets have participated in:
- Model Rocketry
- High-Altitude Balloon Challenge
- Stellar Explorers
- CyberPatriot
- Robotics
🏆 Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) Award
CAP's Aerospace Education Excellence Award program recognizes CAP units that actively engage cadets and senior members in exciting aerospace and STEM education activities. When six engaging lessons and a two-hour field experience are completed, each participant and the squadron receive a certificate — signifying a steady immersion into aerospace and STEM topics and careers. Examples include launching rockets, hosting community eclipse-viewing events, designing and competing with paper airplanes, and simulating a mission to Mars.
🎓 For Educators — Free Programs for Your Classroom
CAP's Aerospace Education isn't just for cadets. Teachers and youth organization leaders can join as an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) and access all of the following at no cost:
- Free K–12 books — national academic standards-aligned curriculum, available online or shipped to you
- Free STEM Kits — hands-on inquiry-based kits covering aviation, space, and cyber
- Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) Program — earn certificates for your students through 6 STEM lessons and one hands-on field experience
- Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) — a grade-specific K–6 STEM program. Since its inception in 2007, nearly 777,000 ACE students have been influenced toward an interest in STEM careers. Lessons blend academics, character education, and physical fitness using an aerospace theme.
The Aerospace Education Member program is open to K–12 formal and informal educators at schools, youth organizations, museums, and libraries. AEMs do not belong to a local CAP squadron, do not wear uniforms, and do not attend squadron meetings. There is a one-time $35 fee with free annual renewal.
🔗 Join as a CAP Aerospace Education Member
🚀 Why Aerospace Education Matters
CAP's award-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 inside and outside CAP's cadet program. Many of the nation's astronauts, pilots, engineers, and scientists first explored their careers through CAP.
CAP's AE program reaches over 500,000 youth a year with hands-on aerospace and STEM lessons and materials. The National Science Teaching Association endorsed aerospace education as an important component of pre-K–12 science education programs.
The goal is clear: give young people the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to pursue careers in aviation, space, engineering, and technology
