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CONNECTING WITH THE K–12 COMMUNITY

STEM OUTREACH

The mission of the United States Air Force Academy Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach Program is to offer a variety of products and services locally and nationally that effectively engage, inspire, and attract the next generation of STEM talent. Faculty and cadets work with the local community, schools, and teachers to provide outreach and increase the effectiveness of the Air Force’s investment in STEM. Cadets have the opportunity to mentor the next generation of potential cadets through involvement in these efforts.

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FREE STEM Resources for Classroom Teachers

Cadet STEM Read Aloud for K-5

Cadets connect with classrooms to read a picture book and a kit of materials is provided for a STEM activity. Teachers keep the book and materials! Teachers may sign up one class per semester.

Planetarium Shows

Let your imagination take flight in our state-of-the-art 360-degree digital dome. Join us for a hands-on STEM project or fly-through astronomer demonstration, in addition to an educational show. To learn more, click here.

Lending Library

Life, earth, and physical science equipment are available as well as robotics, construction, and STEM literacy materials. View pdf of available items.

21 FREE Teachers Pay Teachers Downloadable Interactive Science Lessons

Teachers Pay Teachers AFA STEM Outreach

Chemistry Magic Shows & Recorded Chemistry Demonstrations

The Department of Chemistry conducts chemistry-based magic shows for schools, civic groups and special functions throughout the state of Colorado. Faculty members present the magic of chemistry through a series of colorful, fascinating and, sometimes, noisy demonstrations of chemistry in action.

To schedule a show, contact the Department of Chemistry Prep Lab at (719) 333-4505 or email Stacey Lazzelle.

Virtual presentations for non-local schools are available. For recorded chemistry demos visit:

 

Physics is Phun Demonstrations

Contact Sandy Lamb to schedule these interactive, hair-raising demonstrations.

STEM Professional Development
  • We support monthly PALS and eleSTEMary workshops by supplying teacher materials. Please visit these sites for a complete schedule: PALS and eleSTEMary
  • Botball Coding Training
  • January PD delivered by the chemistry department
  • June Biotechnology PD delivered by the biology faculty
  • Science Standards Implementation Institutes
  • February Biology PD
Virtual Audience with an Astronaut Sessions

USAFA STEM Outreach has partnered with the Space Foundation to bring 6 free virtual Audience With an Astronaut sessions to your classrooms! This year’s sessions feature retired General and former NASA Astronaut Susan Helms. She has flown into space aboard Shuttles Endeavor, Atlantis, Discovery, and Columbia, and has served aboard the International Space Station. She has spent a total of 211 days in space, including establishing a world record for the longest spacewalk at 8 hours and 56 minutes!

Register for the sessions using the links below.

Elementary Sessions:

February 21 – Earth, Our Home, Our Mission

February 27 – Humans in Space

March 7 – Moon to Mars

Middle & High School Sessions:

March 21 – Solar System & Beyond

April 5 – Aeronautics

May 16 – Technology Drives Exploration

Energy Camp for 10 Year Olds

Teachers can recommend 10-year-old students to attend a November energy themed camp. This 2-day free camp is packed with tons of exciting energy activities and student take-home materials

LEGACY Craftsman Camps

The LEGACY program is three phases designed for students from age 11 to completion of their bachelor’s degree. LEGACY is intended to introduce STEM at a young age, continue growing students’ interest in STEM, and eventually hire these students into a STEM-driven Air Force career.

LEGACY Craftsman Camps are a series of individual one-week STEM camps for ages 11 to 15. Following an application process, students are selected for free LEGACY Craftsman day camps which occur at the beginning of June. The week is filled with a variety of STEM activities, interactions with scientists and engineers and a Friday field trip. After attending the camp, students may be invited to return to the next age camp the following summer. The application window runs from Jan 1st – Mar 1st. To apply go to: http://wpafbstem.com/LEGACY/legacy_craftsman.html

For questions, please reach out to USAFA LEGACY Site Lead Dixie Holmes at: dixie.holmes.ctr@afacademy.af.edu

Support for School STEM Days or STEM Nights

Depending on cadet and staff availability, demos and hands-on activities can support school-wide events.

Contact Us

Sandy Lamb
USAFA STEM Coordinator
(719) 333-8990
sandra.lamb.ctr@afacademy.af.edu

CONTACT US FOR PROGRAM DATES AND AVAILABILITY

STEM OUTREACH