Aerospace Education Programs: Leading America into the 21st Century!

An important part of the mission of the Air Force Association is to prepare for the future.  We attempt to provide assistance to the American people, the men and women of the United States Air Force, and American school children.  Our programs include: 

Teacher of the Year.

           Dr. Roger C. Welt of Allan Hancock College, Lompoc & Santa Maria, CA, is the Robert H. Goddard Chapter's Teacher of the Year for 1999.  He is the Executive Dean of Off-Campus programs at Allan Hancock College (AHC).  Dr. Welt is responsible for the AHC Lompoc and Vandenberg AFB Centers.  He was a key figure in AHC's decision to launch Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) programs in Space Operations.  This required several years of committee and staff work, and culminated in the degrees being formally approved a couple years ago.  These degree programs will help both this area and the state of California develop the highly skilled workforce that the space business demands.  For more information about him, click here.

           Nancy Barlas of Ernest Righetti High School, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Santa Maria, CA, is the Robert H. Goddard Chapter's Teacher of the Year for 1998.  Ms. Barlas teaches study skills, archeology, horticulture, and farm technology.  She earned a B.A. in economics from California State University - Sonoma, Rohnert Park, CA.  She then earned her  teaching credential in Social Studies & Learning Handicapped Instruction from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA; and one in Severely Handicapped Instruction from California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, CA.  Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Barlas had been a policewoman in two California communities.  She is an instrument rated private pilot who is working on her commercial rating so she can become an instructor.  Ms. Barlas is also the Commander of Civil Air Patrol Squadron 30, Santa Maria, CA.  

Aerospace Education Student Scholarships & Awards.

          Eagle Grants Enlisted Tuition Assistance.  $250 grants to Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduates awarded twice yearly as acknowledgment of educational achievement, and to those who intend to pursue a bachelor's degree. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular activities.  This valuable program assists over 500 Air Force enlisted people each year. The Robert Goddard Chapter supplements the grants to local selectees with an additional $100.  Recent winners have included:

  • MSgt Cynthia L. Rumph,  392nd Training Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Education & Training Management.  She is completing additional pre-requisite classes for her bachelors degree in education and plans to move to Las Vegas, NV, when she retires from the USAF (October 1999).
  • SrA Steven C. Treiber, 30th Medical Support Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology.   (October 1999)
  • TSgt Robert E. Roper,  76th Helicopter Flight, who earned an Associate Degree in Applied Engineering.    (April 1999).
  • SSgt Michael A. Howell, 534th Training Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Space Operations Technology.   (April 1999).
  • SSgt Franklin Adams, 532nd Training Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Instructor of Technology & Military Science.  He is working towards a B.S. in Industrial Technology through Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, IL.  After he completes the degree, he plans to apply for a USAF commission through Officer Training School.  (October 1998.)
  • SSgt James D. Couch, 30th Mission Support Squadron, a former security policeman, who earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.  Couch has begun studying for a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University, and is applying to the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) in hopes of completing both his bachelor's degree and earning an Air Force Commission.  (October 1998)
  • MSgt Steven T. Barnhart, 532nd Training Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Electronic Systems Technology.  Barnhart has begun working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies from Chapman University and plans to become a teacher after he retires.  (April 1998)
  • SrA Joyce L. Tibbetts-Daigle, 392nd Training Squadron, who earned an Associate Degree in Education & Training Management.  She has since earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Science from Chapman University, married a USAF member, separated from the Air Force, and  moved to Utah.  (April 1998)
More information on the Eagle Grants Program can be found on the Aerospace Education Foundation's web site at http://www.aef.org/aid/grants.asp.

          Air Force Spouse Scholarships. These scholarships were first awarded in 1995 to spouses of Air Force members. The spouse can be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.  Currently, thirty $1,000 scholarships are given for undergraduate or graduate study prior to the Spring semester. Scholarships may be used to pay for any reasonable cost related to pursuing a degree and checks are sent directly to recipient schools. Applicants must have a 3.50 GPA and be the spouse of a member of the Air Force, the Air National Guard, or the Air Force Reserve.  Spouses who are members of one of those groups themselves are ineligible.  Application forms are generally made available in August and completed applications must be postmarked not later than October 31.  More information is available on the AEF web site at http://www.aef.org/aid/spouse.asp.

          Air Force Junior ROTC Academic Excellence Award.  The Aerospace Education Foundation Vision Pin honors academic excellence. The pin will be awarded to AFJROTC cadets who maintain a 3.3 grade point average, and can be worn as permanent part of  their uniform.  For more information call AFJROTC at 1-800-522-0033.  

Aerospace Education Teacher Grants.

          Santa Barbara County Impact II Program is designed to provide supplemental funding for joint teacher-student research projects to improve math and science skills among California Central Coast school children.  During fiscal year 1998, the Goddard Chapter donated about $1,000.

          Visions Grants help teachers raise funds for research and classroom projects.  During fiscal year 1998, the Goddard Chapter donated funds both both a $400 and a $250 grant.
 

These efforts are carried on at the national level by the Aerospace Education Foundation.  The Foundation focuses on three areas: 

  • Enhancing aerospace and technical education by assisting students and educators; 
  • Assisting the Air Force in meeting its educational requirements; and 
  • Informing the American people about aerospace issues so they can make better decisions about how to invest in our future.
The Foundation accomplishes its mission through: 
  • Providing aerospace education opportunities to America's youth in order to: 
    • Appreciate the role of aviation and space to our future; 
    • Develop technical literacy to understand aerospace issues; 
    • Develop educational background required to pursue aerospace careers. 
  • Awarding scholarships promoting aerospace heritage, science, and engineering education. (Information--and in some cases application forms--concerning AEF Scholarships, as those from other sources aimed at the same audience, can be found at http://www.aef.org/aid/scholars.asp. 
  • Supporting, assisting and strengthening the aerospace education programs operated by AFA Chapters. 
  • Communicating to the American people about the importance of a strong aerospace base to our future economic health and national security by sponsoring symposia, roundtables, workshops, and other programs to promote aerospace education and foster the exchange of scientific, technical and national security information. 
  • Supporting the Air Force's educational needs. Recognizing outstanding contributions in aerospace education. 
  • Receiving gifts and grants and disbursing them to accomplish the AEF educational mission.