STEMtoSky
Welcome to STEMtoSky 2024! STEMtoSky is designed to facilitate virtual connections between Air Force Airmen and K-12 classrooms. We hope to share the importance of STEM careers in the Air Force.
Educators can participate in STEMtoSky in a variety of ways including:
Explore all of the options below!
1:1 Classroom Connections
For these virtual engagements your classroom will be assigned an Airman volunteer (military or civilian). The volunteer will virtually meet with you and your students for a 20-30 minute presentation and question and answer session. Educators and volunteers will choose a date and time that works with all schedules.
Discussion topics could include:
- mission of Air Force
- role of STEM in Air Force
- education and training needed for careers in the Air Force
- experiences that lead your Airmen to the Air Force
- and more!
UPDATE: Classroom Connections have reached capacity for 2024. Check out Pre-scheduled live events for other opportunities!
Live Pre-Scheduled Events
These virtual presentations will take place on prescheduled dates and times. These are multipoint sessions, meaning many classrooms will be connected at the same time (webinar style). STEMtoSky 2024 Pre-Scheduled events are:
Not Your Typical Air Force Job
- Date: May 10
- Time: 12:00pm eastern
- Suggested grade levels: middle/high school
Lifecycle of an Aircraft
- Date: May 17
- Time: 12:00pm eastern
- Suggested grade levels: middle/high school
Basics of Flight (National Paper Airplane Day)
- Date: May 24
- Time: 12:00pm eastern
- Suggested grade level: elementary school
STEM Activities
Complete the engineering process of planning, designing, building and testing a paper airplane.
Experiment with forces (air pressure and resistance) by testing various materials and objects in a controlled environment.
Complete the engineering process of planning, designing, building and testing a paper airplane.
Experiment with forces (air pressure and resistance) by testing various materials and objects in a controlled environment.
Complete a series of experiments to better understand Bernoulli’s Principle – the physics of air pressure.
Complete the engineering process of planning, designing, building and testing a paper airplane.
Complete the engineering design process of planning, designing, building and testing a parachute through a series of challenges.
Experiment with forces (air pressure and resistance) by testing various materials and objects in a controlled environment.
Complete the engineering process of planning, designing, building and testing a paper airplane.
Experiment with forces (air pressure and resistance) by testing various materials and objects in a controlled environment.
STEMtoSky Videos
A Pilot's Perspective
Video Description
Capt. Camille (Camie) Richan, 69th Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress pilot, talks about her experience in the alert call to action exercise at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 7 2021.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
B-52 pilot, muscle memory
Grade Level
Grades 8-12
Alternative Link
Dedicated Crew Chief
Video Description
Luke’s dedicated crew chiefs have a unique outlook on how to become a DCC and what it means to them to know that pilots depend on them every day.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
engineering and design, aircraft mechanic, career exploration
Grade Level
Grades 8-12
Alternative Link
Civil Engineers in the Air Force
Video Description
This video explores the field of civil engineering. Civil Engineers are the first to arrive on scene to design, build, the infrastructure within a base camp.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
civil engineering
Grade Level
Grades 8-12
Alternative Link
Mobility Science 101: Do You Even Lift?
Video Description
Meet Johnny Mobility as he explains the basics of flight!
NGSS Standards
Keywords
lift, mobility, STEM, air lift, aerodynamics, weight, drag, Newton’s Laws, Bernoulli’s Principle
Grade Level
Grades 6-12
Biomedical Sciences Corps
Video Description
This video explores biomedical career fields in the Air Force. In this field Airmen are responsible for the health of the military and general public.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
career exploration, bioengineering
Grade Level
Grades 6-12
Creating the Next Generation of Innovators, Creators and Inventors
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Brian Mitchell discusses the importance of STEM and the need for youth to pursue future careers in STEM.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
STEM inspiration
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Engine Shop
Video Description
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Stella, an aerospace propulsion specialist assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, discusses how the engine shop contributes to overall total force readiness and to the mission of the 180FW in Swanton, Ohio.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
engines, career exploration, total force, power, readiness, test, power
Grade Level
Grades 8-12
Alternative Link
Drivers Ed for Space AI
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Kerrianne Hobbs discusses using artificial intelligence to enhance spacecraft driving and travel.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
artificial intelligence, space travel, space, critical technology
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Around the World in 80 Steps
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, join Maj. Nayak as he discusses his experiences working in the harsh environment of the South Pole and how an early lesson taught him how to keep morale high.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
Air Force Research Lab
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Hacking in the Name of Space Security
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Delia Jesaitis & Steve Colenzo discuss the importance of protecting satellites.
An organization was created called DEFCON which allows hackers to collaborate to avoid this problem in the future.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
hackers, satellites, collaboration, cybersecurity, security
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Next Generation of Liquid Propellants
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Steven-Chambreau discusses alternative uses besides the fuel hydrazine to propel rockets into space.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
liquid propellants, hydrazine, containamation, chemistry, ions, melting point, vapor pressure, propellants, oxidation , Spacex, formulation, satellites, rapid release, propulsion
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Human Autonomy Teaming: Sci-Fi Dreams Made Reality
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Jayde King discusses various emergency situations that can be solved with machine learning and autonomous models.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
autonomous, inference, machine learning, artificial intelligence
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Autonomous Aircraft: A Partnership of Human and Machine
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Matt Duquette conducts his talk titled, “Autonomous Aircraft: A Partnership of Human and Machine,” Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
artificial intelligence
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Moving Beyond Averages
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Nate Bridges discusses human computer interfaces to improve the human brain. He discusses technology and artificial intelligence in this talk.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
artificial intelligence, innovation, complex calculations
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Groundbreaking Innovation at the Speed of Failure
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Richard Beblo conducts his talk titled, “Groundbreaking Innovation at the Speed of Failure,” Failure is apart of the engineering and design process.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
failure, innovation, technology
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Striking Where the Innovations' Hot
Video Description
In this video from the AFRL (Air Force Research Lab) Inspire series, Dr. Andrew Gillman discusses better use of technology to improve the Air Force such as 3d printing, machine learning, and robotics. The challenges of technology were discussed but collaboration is used to solve the problems.
NGSS Standards
Keywords
machine learning, robotics, 3d printing, partnerships, collaboration, academia, prototype, components
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
1:1 Classroom Connections FAQ
What are these events?
STEMtoSky is a program designed to facilitate engagement with school classrooms led by our military and civilian Airmen. The goal is to raise awareness and highlight the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), as well as our service’s contributions to national security and daily life.
When are the events?
STEMtoSky is celebrated in early May. During this time, Airmen will work with their assigned classrooms to choose a date and time that works with your schedule. STEMtoSky 2024 is scheduled for May 6 – May 24. Dates are flexible based on testing and last day of school.
Who are the speakers?
Speakers for this event come from across the Dept of the Air Force. This include both civilian and military. Your specific speaker may have one of a variety of careers including engineer, operator, researcher, cyber security specialist, pilot and more!
How much does the program cost to participate?
STEMtoSky events are FREE!
What is included with the program?
The Airmen to Classroom connection is a live two-way 25-30min virtual interaction between your classroom and an assigned Air Force Airmen, scientist, engineer or researcher.
There are activities and videos that can be used before or after your events to help prepare for and reflect on STEM.
How do we connect with our assigned Airmen presenter?
You will be introduced to your volunteer via email. Be sure to check both your school email and personal email accounts. The email will come from [email protected]. Add us to your address book to help prevent our emails being sent to spam!
Once you have received your email, you will work with your assigned volunteer to schedule the date and time of the engagement. You can use the virtual platform of your choice (Zoom, Team, Meet, etc.)
How many students or classes can be in a program at once?
We recommend one program registration per individual classroom of around 30 students for the best 1:1 virtual experience. However, some classes have grouped together for a single engagement.
Each request made will be paired with one Airmen for one 25-30 minute session. For multiple sessions, please submit multiple requests.
Who can particpate?
Any group is eligible to participate! The program and activities are designed for students of all ages. This program is not just designed for classrooms; we also encourage after school clubs, Civil Air Patrol groups, JROTC and non-profit organizations to sign-up as well.
Homeschool students are encouraged to register as a group rather than individually.
