Civil Air Patrol’s aerospace-themed STEM initiative for kindergarten through eighth grade, Aerospace Connections in Education, achieved another record-setting year during the 2024–2025 academic cycle, engaging nearly 117,475 students.
The ACE program offers a grade-specific, sequential curriculum designed to spark early interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines and careers. The program integrates three foundational components — cross-curricular academics, character education, and physical fitness — and serves as a natural bridge to Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program, particularly for middle school students.
Since its launch in 2007, the program has reached nearly 777,000 students, introducing them to aerospace concepts and a wide range of STEM careers while promoting well-rounded personal development.
In 2020, ACE expanded to include ACE Plus, a squadron classroom adoption initiative that connects CAP squadrons with fifth- through eighth-grade classrooms. ACE Plus enhances classroom STEM instruction and offers students an introduction to CAP’s cadet program. During the 2024–2025 academic year, 30 ACE Plus teams representing all eight CAP regions inspired more than 2,554 students nationwide.
Registration for the 2025-2026 ACE program will open Aug. 1.
Meanwhile, national ACE and ACE Plus program award recipients have been announced, recognizing outstanding educators, squadrons, and students exemplifying the program’s mission and impact.
National ACE School, Coordinator, and Teacher of the YearFlorida College Academy in Temple Terrace is 2024–2025 National ACE School of the Year. The school’s science curriculum coordinator, Jeri Martin, is 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.
The school’s faculty also includes the National ACE Teacher of the Year. Edie Dorrell, a first-grade teacher whose commitment to early STEM education made a lasting impact on her pupils.
As National ACE School of the Year, FCA will host the 2025–2026 National ACE Liftoff in October.
National STEM Specialist of the YearAt Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Sandy, Utah, Jennifer Stout is National ACE STEM Specialist of the Year. Stout involved the entire student body—nearly 500 children in kindergarten through fifth grade — in the ACE program, personally teaching 123 ACE lessons.
Her efforts were supported by parent volunteers who assisted with kindergarten lessons and a PE teacher who handled the physical fitness component. Her dedication ensured every elementary student experienced the full scope of ACE curricula.
National ACE Students of the YearFour 2024–2025 National ACE Students of the Year were recognized for their enthusiasm, leadership, and engagement with the program:
Rosario Alvarado, sixth grade Ormond Beach Middle School, Ormond Beach, Florida
Ben Chilcote, fifth grade Florida College Academy, Temple Terrace, Florida
Shamani Jenkins, sixth grade W.A. Perry Middle School, Columbia, South Carolina
Aarish Nizam, sixth grade Dr. Dixie Melillo Middle School, Houston
National ACE Plus Collaborative Team of the YearThe 2025 National ACE Plus Collaborative Team Award was presented to the Indiana Wing’s Col. James Kasler Senior Squadron and its partner school, Custer Baker Intermediate in Franklin. The squadron adopted the sixth-grade classrooms led by teachers Brianna Kirkham and Rebecca Skeel.
Under the coordination of Lt. Col. Danny McDaniel, the squadron’s aerospace education officer and the wing’s external aerospace education officer, numerous members delivered ACE and CAP aerospace education lessons across multiple days, arranged a Teacher Orientation Program flight for Kirkham, and organized a field trip to the local airport, where students participated in interactive activities overseen by both adult and cadet members of the Bakalar Composite Squadron.
Maj. Renee-Ann Pikulik, Kasler squadron commander, also helped guide student engagement as an ACE Plus team member.
All award recipients will receive a plaque and a grant provided by program sponsor, the Air & Space Forces Association.
