CAP's Aerospace Education efforts focus on two different audiences: volunteer CAP members and the general public. The programs ensure that all CAP members (seniors, educators, and cadets) have an appreciation for and knowledge of aerospace issues. The CAP Aerospace Education program offers over 450 classroom ready projects available electronically for Aerospace Education Officers, classroom & homeschool teachers, and youth organizations.
Internal Aerospace Program
The internal aerospace education program has two parts as well: cadet and senior. Cadets complete aerospace education as one of the requirements to progress through the achievement levels of the cadet program. Senior members have a responsibility to become knowledgeable of aerospace issues and the AE program that CAP provides. Cadet and senior members are further encouraged to share the information obtained with their local communities, schools, and the general public.
External Aerospace Program
CAP's external aerospace programs are conducted through our nation's educational system. Each year CAP sponsors many workshops in states across the nation, reaching hundreds of educators and thereby thousands of young people. These workshops highlight basic aerospace knowledge and focus on advances in aerospace technology. CAP's Aerospace Education Members receive more than 450 free aerospace education—STEM classroom-ready materials.
Learn More
- To learn more about CAP's aerospace education programs, products, and other resources available to our members, go to gocivilairpatrol.com/aerospace-education.
- For information about becoming an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) and to join online, go to Join AEM.
- If you have more questions, please feel free to contact our Director of Aerospace Education: Dr. Sylvie Kacmarcik, Major, CAP
Assistant Director of Assistant Director of Aerospace Education Adviser to Director of Wing Internal Aerospace Education Officer
Wing External Eastern Washington Aerospace Education Officer Southwestern Washington Aerospace Education Officer CyberPatriot Coordinator Maj Sylvie Kacmarcik Assistant CyberPatriot Coordinator C/Capt Gorham, Bradley Other AE Resources:
| Aerospace Education webpages:National CAP Aerospace Education news:
Notes to CAP Aerospace Education Officers:In 2018, National AE staff team updated all AE pamphlets and regulations. Please refer to the new publications:
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CAPP 60-41 Cadet Cyber & STEM Recognition Programs 
For many years, the Civil Air Patrol has been having a Model Rocketry program with a badge associated with the students accomplishments. (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/aerospace-education/programs/model-rocketry)
In August 2018, the Cadet Cyber Badge and Cadet STEM Badge were introduced. These new recognition programs will motivate cadets to participate in activities like CyberPatriot, robotics, astronomy, meteorology, drones / UAVs, flight simulators, and more.
Cadet Cyber and STEM Badges are authorized for wear on the CAP cadet uniform, effective 1 October 2018. See Cadet Cyber & STEM Recognition Programs CAPP 60-41 for more information (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/CAPP_6041_F9333F40340B7.pdf).
CAPR 39-1, CAP Uniform Regulations, has been updated as of 5 March 2020 and authorizes the display of these badges on cadets' Blues uniforms.
Both the Cadet STEM Badge and Cadet Cyber Badge use a modular format. Recipients obtain a single, basic badge, and affix the appropriate star to denote their level of achievement. A blue star indicates the Basic rating, a silver star indicates the Intermediate rating, and a gold star indicates the Advanced rating. As cadets earn ratings, they may remove the old star and install the new, while keeping the same basic badge.
To earn a Cadet STEM Badge with increasing rating, a cadet must accomplish the following:
Cadet STEM Badge | Basic Rating | Intermediate Rating | Advanced Rating |
Progress in CAP Cadet Program | C/SrA Achievement 3 Col Mary Feik | C/MSgt | C/2d Lt Brig Gen. Billy Mitchell Award |
Aerospace Education Testing | Two modules in the Aerospace Dimensions series | Two additional modules in the Aerospace Dimensions series. | Successful comprehensive exam of Aerospace Dimensions. |
STEM Classroom activities | Participate in at least 12 hours of eligible STEM activities. The 12 hours’ participation may be in a single thematic area or multiple areas. | Participate in 12 additional hours of eligible STEM activities. OR Complete an additional 9 hours of eligible STEM activities as a student and complete 3 hours as a tutor or assistant instructor on STEM activities previously completed. | Participate in 12 hours of eligible STEM activities, beyond what was completed for the previous badges. OR Complete an additional 6 hours of eligible STEM activities as a student and complete an additional 6 hours as a tutor or assistant instructor on STEM activities previously completed |
STEM log | Provide the unit AEO with a log of these accomplishments. | Provide the unit AEO with a log of these accomplishments. | As a community service, lead a group of non-cadet youth in any STEM-related hands-on activity of 30 minutes duration or longer. |
Career Dossier | Research and write about a STEM-related occupation (civilian, government, or military). | Complete a 1- to 2-page dossier, this time on a different occupation, following the same guidelines as used for the Basic Cadet STEM Badge. | Complete a 1- to 2-page dossier on yet another occupation, following the same guidelines as used for the Basic Cadet STEM Badge. |
To earn a Cadet Cyber Badge with increasing rating, a cadet must accomplish the following:
Cadet Cyber Badge | Basic Rating | Intermediate Rating | Advanced Rating |
Progress in CAP Cadet Program | C/Amn Achievement 1 | C/SSgt Complete Phase I | C/2d Lt Complete Phase II |
Classroom activities | Complete the activities from the CAP Introduction to CyberSecurity Activity Guide. This involves classroom and hands-on activities comprising approximately 20 contact hours. | Participate in the CyberPatriot competition, serving in a team leadership role. This involves classroom and hands-on activities of approximately 20 contact hours. AND Successfully complete the CyberDefense Training Academy, Cyberspace Familiarization Course. | Serve a minimum of 30 (cumulative) contact hours as a tutor, assistant coach, or instructor for a CyberPatriot team or during activities associated with a squadron’s completion of the CAP Introduction to CyberSecurity Activity Guide. OR Complete the Cyber Defense Training Academy, Advanced Cyberspace Familiarization Course. |
CyberPatriot competition | Participate in the CyberPatriot competition. This involves classroom and hands-on activities of approximately 20 contact hours. | Complete a high school (or higher) course in computer science, information assurance, or cyber security. OR Obtain an industry-standard information security certification such as the CompTIA Security +, or (ISC)² SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner. | |
Career Dossier | Research and write about a cyber-related occupation (civilian, government, or military). | Complete another 1 to 2 page dossier, this time on a different occupation. | Provide at least 10 hours of IT service to CAP or another organization by managing a website, local access network, or unit help desk. OR Design an application, administer Moodle courseware or other learning management system, or complete a project of similar scope and complexity. |
