Tuesday, September 16th is a day to remember for one particular Hardy County teacher.
Mr. Harclerode, a 5th grade Science Teacher at East Hardy Elementary School, got to fly with Civil Air Patrol by participating in the ACE (Aerospace Connections in Education) Program. This amazing experience came about after Mr. Harclerode was recruited into the Aerospace Education Member program by Captain John Banks, a substitute teacher and Commander of Potomac Highlands Composite Squadron in Petersburg. After Mr. Harclerode joined as an AEM (Aerospace Education Member), Capt. Banks worked closely with him, including launching rockets with the classroom in the Spring. Captain Banks coordinated with Civil Air Patrol pilots to get a TOP (Teacher Orientation Program) flight scheduled and accomplished. Mr. Harclerode was flown by Civil Air Patrol pilot, Lt Col Shelton Davis, which traveled from Martinsburg to assist in the day’s event.
When educators join as an AEM of Civil Air Patrol, they gain access to many free aerospace and STEM educational tools and K-12 curriculum materials to use in the classroom and share with their students. This unique program is designed to help educators involve their classrooms by promoting aerospace and STEM in the schools. Teachers or educators that participate and join as an AEM of CAP also earn themselves a TOP (Teacher Orientation Program) flight. To some, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Mr. Harclerode coordinated with his school on the time and date of his flight, allowing his students to go outside to wave to their teacher above. As a student, this must have been extraordinary. How many children can say that they waved to their teacher in an airplane? Mr. Harclerode stated that he learned more than he was expecting and is excited to share his new aviation knowledge with his students.
Civil Air Patrol offers another, similar program called ACE (Aerospace Connections in Education) in which Mr. Harclerode took advantage of. This program is K-6 grade specific to enrich academics, physical fitness and character education. CAP hopes that partnering with educators will allow youth to be more involved with captivating lessons and activities with over 40 national standards-aligned educational materials. Some of the STEM kits that are available FREE to AEMs include indoor quadcopter (ages 10 & up), weather station (ages 8 & up), astronomy (ages 6 and up) and more. The possibilities are endless for ways to utilize and include youth activities with the help of Civil Air Patrol and local educators.
