New Jersey Wing Outreach

New Jersey Wing: Great examples of outreach

New Jersey Wing has been working with the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) Library to conduct Saturday STEM Workshops for the children of active duty personnel for the past three years.

Lt. Col. Michael Castania, New Jersey Wing Director of Aerospace Education (DAE), initially presented two CAP AE programs at the library. These presentations led to the grant-funded weekly workshops on various STEM subjects, including solar power, engineering, chemistry and flight.

What was the reaction from the students? “I would have to say, very positive,” says Castania, “since all of the presentations are hands-on activities.”
As DAE, Castania takes the responsibility to promote education in both internal and external programs. “The opportunity to promote aerospace/STEM activities and simply have fun was the best motivation for involvement.”
The New Jersey Wing’s external outreach programs are extensive and include presentations to Scout troops and schools and at community events.
This past summer, for the second consecutive year, Castania took part in the JumpStart Summer Session at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology. The program is designed to help acclimate incoming freshmen to the high school environment. Castania presented a basic aviation lesson to 30 incoming aviation studies and engineering students.
Castania, a pilot and retired classroom teacher, joined CAP in 1996.

Outreach Tips

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