Granite Cadet Squadron offers aerospace lessons to young siblings
3/1/2022 - GRANITE, Md. -- Granite Cadet Squadron, part of Civil Air Patrol, Maryland Wing, has adapted CAP’s Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program to be run once-a-month concurrently with the squadron’s meetings held weekly in Granite, Md. ACE is designed for classes of grade K-6 students with the primary goal of promoting science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and aerospace topics. Granite Cadet Squadron, CAP’s only all-homeschool squadron, is using ACE to teach homeschooled siblings of its cadets in the K-5th grade age range during their meetings.
The classes are led by Senior Member Ashley Panzica-Tolbert with Senior Member Brian Hibbert assisting along with parents of the children. Eight students attended the first class on January 27, 2022, where the students learned about cloud types and weather, made a device to help them identify different types of clouds, and completed a craft with cotton balls, which they used to make their favorite type of cloud and labeled it.
The popularity of the program grew and there were 19 children at the second ACE class on February 24. The children learned about air flow through videos and handouts, then made several crafts to emphasize the concept.
Currently, Granite Cadet Squadron is limiting the program to only siblings of cadets in the squadron; however, if the program continues to be successful, the squadron will consider opening the initiative up to the wider homeschooling community. Panzica-Tolbert said, “It might be ambitious, but I believe with some help from other senior members, we could easily do the program with 20 or so children.”
She also stated that, “If there are enough [adults] to help facilitate a class, I believe an ACE program would benefit any squadron, not just our homeschool one. Not only is the ACE program another way for parents to get their younger children interested in aerospace, but it’s also a great way for cadets to assist senior members in teaching the possible next generation of CAP cadets.”
Lt. Col. Brenda Reed, Granite squadron commander, is enthusiastic about this new outreach. “As homeschool families, many of these children were at the meetings, often in a room working on their own schoolwork. It just made sense to provide them a structured opportunity to learn a bit of what their older siblings are learning. The ACE program was a natural fit! I am thankful to CAP’s Aerospace Education staff for working with us to make this happen.”
by
C/Capt Vincent Martucci Bond, CAP
Cadet Deputy Commander, Granite Cadet Squadron
For More Information:
Granite Cadet Squadron meets at Maryland Wing Headquarters in Granite, Md., on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Visit the squadron’s website https://granite.cap.gov for more information or email granite@mdwg.cap.gov for specific questions.
