Our Mission
A Force to Shape the Future
Air & Space STEM Outreach is a Department of the Air Force program with a mission to inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent by exposing K-12 students and teachers to U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force opportunities and resources.
The Department of the Air Force is dedicated to preparing the workforce of the future. We want to connect with and impact K-12 students and educators all over the world because we understand that what happens tomorrow depends on what we do today to attract, engage, and inspire the next generation of Airmen and Guardians, both military and civilian. Here, the sky is not the limit – it’s a starting point.
Partners
DoD STEM
The Department of Defense STEM Office provides support for STEM education and outreach activities across the agency.
Griffiss Institute
The Griffiss Institute is a nonprofit talent and technology accelerator devoted to converging teams and technologies to solve complex national challenges.
Air and Space Forces Association
The Air and Space Forces Association educates the public on the critical need for aerospace power and STEM education for a technically superior defense workforce.
STEM Career Development + Impact
Scientists and engineers work across a wide range of STEM career pathways in the Department of Defense. Alongside military Airmen and Guardians, there are people who work for the Dept of the Air Force that do not serve in the military. They are called “civilians” (also known as nonmilitary government employees). Many serve in their roles as innovators and problem-solvers of real-world challenges. STEM jobs in defense offer a diverse and amazing opportunity to make a difference and work with the latest research, technology, and engineering in high-demand areas.
FACT
There are nearly
STEM Careers
Amy Burns
Aerospace Engineer
Amy Burns leads AFRL’s automatic collision avoidance technology initiative. As program manager and team lead, she develops aircraft systems and advances relevant technologies.
Dr. James Christensen
Research
Christensen’s job is to connect AFRL’s basic science research with Air Force operational needs. Christensen spearheaded the development of wearable monitoring devices for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE, specialists. These devices protect students during rigorous training exercises where they function in isolated rugged environments for extended periods.
Dr. Shanee Pacley
Materials Scientist
Dr. Shanee Pacley is a materials scientist in AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. She specializes in nanotechnology and focuses on carbon nanomaterials. She says she enjoyed the hands-on experience in the lab and the day-to-day interaction with other scientists and engineers in the field.
