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Civil Air Patrol offers free aerospace curriculum and cadet programs to Oak Ridge schools
Summary
Captain Steven Millard told the board the Civil Air Patrol can provide free curriculum, STEM kits and a JROTC-like cadet program for students aged 12–18, and suggested educator lifetime membership for $35.
Captain Steven Millard of the Civil Air Patrol addressed the Oak Ridge Board of Education to outline the organization’s education and cadet programs and to invite partnership with the district.
Millard described Civil Air Patrol’s educator membership (a lifetime membership priced at $35) that grants teachers access to a free, Air Force–provided curriculum, textbooks and hands-on STEM kits, including drones, robotics kits and an “Aerospace Education Exchange” kit for out‑of‑school activities and tours. “We have an educator members membership that is $35 for a lifetime membership. And what this gives to your educators is, a free curriculum provided by the US Air Force,” Millard said.
On cadet programs, Millard said Civil Air Patrol serves students ages 12 to 18 and provides leadership and aerospace training; the group runs summer camps and leadership training. He suggested the program can act as a JROTC-like experience for middle school students who are interested in military-style leadership development but said Civil Air Patrol itself is a civilian organization with no obligation of military service.
Millard also noted the local squadron’s history and size: “We have 25 members, cadet members, and 17 adult members,” he said, and told the board the squadron traces origins to workers associated with the Manhattan Project.
Board members thanked Millard and said they would pass along the information to district educators. Millard said cadet participants have been selected for upcoming training at the Tennessee National Guard volunteer training center.
Ending
Millard urged schools to consider the free curricular materials and cadet programs as a resource for STEM and leadership education; board members asked staff to circulate the Civil Air Patrol materials to district teachers.
