Aerospace Education Excellence Program (AEX) For Squadrons
Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) award program rewards squadrons for consistent hands-on aerospace education experiences in the squadron.
In support of this program, CAP provides a variety of AEX-titled books and other CAP-produced aerospace-related STEM books, lessons, and activities, most covering several national academic and Next Gen Science standards.
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See the AEX I (elementary age) and AEX II (middle and high school age) books (pictured above), as well as many other AEX-titled books ready for online download, at eServices/Aerospace Education/AE Downloads and Resources. (See curriculum list HERE.)
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For additional lessons to consider, go to the CAP AE curriculum page, lessons and activities pages and left menu item links, lesson videos page, and Aerospace/STEM Resources for Remote Education.
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There is also a comprehensive library full of excellent virtual video lessons found on the South Carolina Wing Robert Roberts Aerospace Education YouTube channel. These can certainly be considered for use.
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You may also supplement CAP lessons with lessons from other resources, such as NASA, IEEE, etc.
For a place to start, poll your squadron members (cadets and/or seniors) to find the subject areas of most interest. You will find aviation, space and cyber topics in the
The requirements are simple:
Complete six aerospace activities and one two-hour or longer field experience (space day, trip to the airport or museum, etc.) to earn an instructor certificate plus color certificates for the cadets.
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The AEX activities are designed to fit during AE meetings at the squadron, either virtually or in-person.
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AEX program activities should take place between Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 each year.
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All of the projects featured in AEX I (grades K-5) or AEX II (grades 6-12) are easy to deliver and involve readily available, low-cost materials.
To Register
Go to eServices, then, in the left Menu column, click Aerospace Education and then AEX, and "Apply for AEX." Registration is required for each year (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30) you choose to participate. When you are ready to enter your AEX activities, return to eServices/AEX and go to "AEX Award Report." You may enter the AEX activities as each one is finished (and your inputs will be saved in the application), or you may wait until all activities are completed.
To Submit the Completion Report
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The report must be completed no later than Sept. 30 each year. It is recommended that you complete the report before Sept. 30 as different time zones can affect the completion date.
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After your report is submitted, your certificates will be mailed to you for presentation.
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Submit your completion report at least 3 weeks prior to needing certificates.
E-mail questions to aex@capnhq.gov .
Activity Corrections in Archived AEX books that may still be in the squadron's library.
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AEX I Volume 1 - Activity 13 - Goddard Rocket fin template and fin diagram
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AEX II Volume 2 - Activity 5 - Building the Space Shuttle -Space Shuttle template