S.C., Ga. Units Team Up to Promote Aerospace Education

1st Lt. Norwood Bodie
Public Affairs Officer
Aiken Composite Squadron
South Carolina Wing

Civil Air Patrol units from two wings in neighboring CAP regions joined forces Saturday to engage many of the 4,000 visitors to the 34th Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED) at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

The annual event is geared towards celebrating science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) while providing opportunities for families, children, teens and local STEM professionals to learn and share with the Central Savannah River Area community.

Since the Savannah River divides the Georgia and South Carolina wings while also separating the Southeast Region from the Mid-Atlantic Region, the Georgia Wing’s Augusta Composite Squadron and the South Carolina Wing’s Aiken Composite Squadron crossed bridges --  literally and figuratively -- to work together at the event.

Sixteen cadets and 10 senior members from the two units assisted hundreds of SEED visitors in flying CAP STEM Kit flight simulators and landing a Lunar Lander simulator as well as building Lunar Landers made from straws, marshmallows, cups and paper as part of an aerospace education project.

Throughout the event, other members talked with students and parents about CAP. They passed out recruiting material and collected contact information from those interested in learning more.

Members made hundreds of contacts during the six-hour event. Close to 30 prospective members were identified, with equal numbers expressing interest in both squadrons.

Photos by 1st Lt. Norwood Bodie, South Carolina Wing