AFA Helps Civil Air Patrol Impact Record Students through Annual STEM Programs

July 28, 2025   |   By Susan Mallett

Civil Air Patrol’s Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program reached new heights during the 2024–2025 academic year, engaging 117,475 kindergarten through eighth-grade students across 45 states and Department of Defense schools in Europe—a 16 percent increase in participation over the previous year. The program partnered with 645 teachers at 614 schools and organizations, further expanding its footprint. The record participation reflects program success and strong collaboration between teachers, CAP squadron adults and cadets, school and community volunteers, and AFA chapter members.

Launched in 2007, the ACE program features a grade-specific, aerospace-themed STEM online curriculum designed to spark early interest in STEM disciplines and careers. The program integrates three foundational components: cross-curricular academics, character education, and physical fitness. It also serves as a natural bridge for middle school students to consider participation in CAP’s cadet program.

Since its 2007 inception, ACE has impacted nearly 777,000 students, promoting early STEM engagement and well-rounded personal development. In 2020, the initiative added ACE Plus, pairing CAP squadrons with fifth- through eighth-grade classrooms for deeper program enrichment and cadet exposure. This year, 30 ACE Plus teams reached more than 2,554 students nationwide.

National Award Winners Honored by AFA

Capping off this year’s success, CAP is proud to announce the national ACE and ACE Plus program award winners, recognizing outstanding educators, students, and squadrons that exemplify the program’s mission and impact.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from AFA, national award recipients receive plaques and grants. Throughout the year, AFA chapters also support classrooms with instructional assistance, ACE T-shirts, student certificate presentations, and participation in the annual National ACE Lift-Off event held each October.

Top National ACE Program Honors

National School, Coordinator, and Teacher of the Year

Florida College Academy (FCA) in Temple Terrace, Fla., was named the 2024–2025 National ACE School of the Year.

The school’s Science Curriculum Coordinator, Jeri Martin, was named the National ACE Coordinator of the Year. Under Martin’s leadership, the entire school community—including the principal, assistant principal, and specialists in library, music, art, physical education, and aviation—collaborated to support the ACE program. High school students also played a valuable role, assisting with ACE instruction and mentorship.

FCA further distinguished itself through the National ACE Teacher of the Year award for Edie Dorrell, a first-grade teacher whose commitment to early STEM education made a lasting impact.

FCA also earned the distinction of hosting the 2025–2026 National ACE Lift-Off event in October. Local AFA chapters will provide support and attendance.

Custer Baker Teachers Rebecca Skeel and Brianna Kirkham proudly display their ACE Plus Award plaques from AFA.

National STEM Specialist of the Year

At Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Sandy, Utah, Jennifer Stout was named the National ACE STEM Specialist of the Year. A standout educator who was also a 2025 AFA Utah Chapter Teacher of the Year, Stout successfully involved the school’s entire K–5 student body of almost 500 students in the ACE program. She personally delivered an impressive 123 ACE lessons, supported by parent volunteers who assisted with kindergarten lessons and the P.E. teacher who facilitated the physical fitness component. Her dedication ensured every elementary student experienced the full scope of ACE curricula. 

National ACE Students of the Year

Four outstanding students were recognized as the 2024–2025 National ACE Students of the Year for their enthusiasm, leadership, and engagement with the program:

  • Aarish Nizam, 6th Grade
    Dr. Dixie Melillo Middle School, Houston, Texas
  • Shamani Jenkins, 6th Grade
    W.A. Perry Middle School, Columbia, S.C.
  • Ben Chilcote, 5th Grade
    Florida College Academy, Temple Terrace, Fla.
  • Rosario Alvarado, 6th Grade
    Ormond Beach Middle School, Ormond Beach, Fla.

National ACE Plus Collaborative Team of the Year

The 2025 National ACE Plus Collaborative Team Award was presented to CAP’s “Col. James Kasler Senior Squadron” of the Indiana Wing and its partner school, Custer Baker Intermediate School in Franklin, Ind. The squadron “adopted” the sixth-grade classrooms led by teachers Brianna Kirkham and Rebecca Skeel.

CAP’s Kasler Senior Squadron and Bakalar Composite Squadron members joined hands to conduct interactive airport fieldtrip with Custer Baker sixth graders.

Under the coordination of Lt. Col. Danny McDaniel, several members of Kasler Squadron—including Maj. Renee-Ann Pikulik, the squadron commander—delivered ACE and other CAP aerospace education lessons, incorporating STEM Kit activities over multiple days. The team also coordinated a Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight for Kirkham and organized a field trip to the local airport. During the visit, students engaged in interactive activities led by both adult and cadet members of the collaborative Bakalar Composite Squadron.

ACE Program Registration for 2025–2026 opens August 1. 

AFA chapters can support local teachers in the program. Contact afa@capnhq.gov for assistance.