Volunteer as a STEM Educator for Civil Air Patrol

Save to Favorites

Civil Air Patrol Oak Ridge Composite Squadron is seeking a volunteer to serve the Oak Ridge community as our new Aerospace Education Officer. Civil Air Patrol is the only entity nationally chartered by the US Congress to teach the science and history of aviation and aerospace. This makes the Aerospace Education Officer one of the most important and public duties of our chapter.

A successful Aerospace Education Officer will:

• Plan an annual syllabus and budget for of aerospace education;
• Conduct at least 45 minutes of lecture twice per month on topics in space, cyberspace, and aviation;
• Share National, Regional, and State level Civil Air Patrol aerospace news and events at the local level;
• Recruit STEM teachers in Anderson and Roane County as aerospace mentors;
• Promote Civil Air Patrol’s extensive educational resources with local STEM educators;
• Plan and conduct model rocketry programs, high-altitude balloon experiments, CyberPatriot competitions, and more as available;
• Serve as a point of contact and liaison between local educators and Civil Air Patrol;
• Coordinate with Wing-level administrators and CAP pilots to provide cadets with orientation flights on CAP aircraft;
• Promote Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Flights;
• Plan and execute outreach days to provide K through 12 students in our community with hands-on workshops in aviation, coding, electronics, mechanics, drones, and more;
• Serve the cadet students in the chapter as an aerospace mentor;
• Submit nomination for awards in aerospace knowledge;
• Use Civil Air Patrol’s extensive professional education and training programs to master skills as a science and history communicator;
• Become an advocate for aviation and space.

Experience in aviation or as an educator is valued but not required. The volunteer is expected to donate two hours of time once per month for regular lectures and addtional time as needed as a coordinator for educators. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older. Wear of a military-style uniform is occasionally required. Membership application fees apply.

Civil Air P atrol was first founded in December of 1941 as a civilian air force to patrol the US Coasts for German U-boats. After the war, the United States Congress chartered CAP as a non-profit and reorganized it as the official auxiliary of the US Air Force with the following missions:

• Assisting the DAF (Dept. of the Air Force) in fulfilling its non-combat programs and missions.
• Providing assistance requested by federal, state or local governmental agencies to perform disaster relief missions and activities, other emergency and non-emergency public purpose missions and activities.
• Encouraging and aiding United States citizens in contributing to the development of aviation and sustainment of air supremacy; and to encourage and develop by example the voluntary contribution of private citizens to the public welfare.
• Providing aviation education and training.
• Encouraging and fostering civil aviation in local communities.
• Providing an organization of private citizens with adequate facilities to assist in meeting local and national emergencies.

Civil Air Patrol is America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster, and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 56,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.

"Volunteers serving America's communities, saving lives, and shaping futures."