AEROSPACE EDUCATION RESOURCES for TEACHERS

This is not rocket science, folks!  think things like water rockets, gliders and paper airplanes.  But more than that, and with the science to back it up.  Don't worry about not knowing the science - in many cases they will teach you how to use their education products.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  AIAA.  This is an expensive organization if you are an engineer - they have a FREE membership for teachers.  They have a good amount of teaching resource online.  As an education member you can attend conferences and they have a good national one each year in the late summer - there will be workshops suitable to your age level there.  Also you can apply once in your career for an EZ grant - currently around $200. www.aiaa.org

Boeing Aircraft.  Boeing has a small area just for kids with some activities and some learning tools.  www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/kids/  They also sponsor a number of teachers each summer to go to Space Camp!  OMG...Space Camp. 

Boeing also has some screensavers that are safe - www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/screen/screen.htm

Spacecamp.  There is a ton of value here - the best part is if you can attend.  From here you can go to a regional NASA ERC (Education Resorce Center)   that has some resources...but you will be better served if you go to OUR regional NASA site.  A numer of companies provide scholarships to teachers to attend spacecamp.  www.spacecamp.com or www.spacecamp.com/educators/

NASA in Stillwater.  It is sometimes tough to navigate the federal red tape to find what you need from NASA - they have SO much material in SO MANY different locations.  Also, each mission has its own webiste and protocol.  There are currently a number of active missions.   We actually have a state education office here in the GSO - it's in Stillwater and you can visit (appointment strongly suggested) and browse materials or get certified for moon rocks or meteorites, and you can order materials online.  http://www.okstate.edu/apdc

Civil Air Patrol.  The Civil Air Patrol is the Auxilary to the US Air Force.  Membership in CAP is totally separate from military service.  You won't get "drafted"!  CAP has three aims:  Aerospace Education, Cadet Services/Leadership, and Search/Rescue.  They provide different things, depending on your level of involvement.  They provide grants, materials, meetings, flight time, etc.  Non-mmembers can purchase educational materials from the supply depot - possibly the most comprehensive source of aerospace educatin materials in one location. 

AE members (non-uniformed members) can also receive free educational materials, participate in events and exercises and apply for free airlifts to conferences.  There is a premier national aerospace education conference each year.  AE members can also apply for AEX awards and plaques for their classroom (easy to get, look great) and apply for AEF classroom grants, currently  $250.  Dues are around $35/year)

Senior members (adults) can do these things plus receive some uniforms and equipment and participate in other activities including search/resuce missions and flight time.

Cadets (adolescents) can do most of these things plus leadership training, camps of all kinds, etc.

This IS a federal program so it is sometimes hard to navigate through the red tape.  Start at www.gocivilairpatrol.com

NCAE - this is a clearinghouse of aviation education materials from a huge variety of organizations from 4H to Women in Aviation with the alphabet in between, excluding NASA.   An easy-to-use matrix tell you what kind of material is available.  The matrix is at www.aviationeducation.org/html/matrix/matrixset.htm  and the main organization is www.aviationeducation.org  

FAA  The Federal Aviation Administration has a surprising amount of material and teachers resources.  Try the "Curriculum" and "Educator's Corner" links.  Most of these are actual activities. www.faa.gov/education

Wright Brothers Museum.  They had, at one time, some activites you could download and plans for models.  How about a replica of one of the Wright Flyers hanging in your own school? wow.  The site is undergoing revision but try it at www.wright-brothers.org/  "The Wright Brothers createad the single greatest cultural force since writing - the first World Wide WEb, bringing together people, languages and ideas"  Bill Gates, CEO Microsoft

Kite Aerial Photography.  Why not?  Not so much for educators nor students, but some ideas of how to do it and an extensive photo gallergy - all by amateurs.  www.arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/