Educators can receive free science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) kits from the U.S. Air Force through the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Educators can be public, private, or homeschool workers as well as nonprofit advisers in community youth and educational groups.

The kits, valued from several dollars to $500 each, can be ordered by Aerospace Education (AE) members who, after an initial fee, never pay an annual membership fee. AE members can also receive free orientation flights in CAP aircraft, and there is no requirement to be active in the local squadron.

For more information, including a list of available STEM kits, visit http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com and look under Programs, Aerospace Education, AE Programs, and and then STEM Kit Program.

Some school districts have created an in-school version of the CAP Cadet Program at no cost to the district. Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304, the local CAP squadron, operates out of the Venture Jets hangar at Lancaster Airport in Lititz. To learn more, contact the local squadron commander at cc010@pawg.cap.gov.

The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Visit the aforementioned website or http://www.cap.news for more information.