The Air & Space Forces Association, Wright Memorial Chapter (AFA WMC), continues its commitment to fostering STEM education through targeted grants that create meaningful change for students. These initiatives, led by Carl “Shof” Shofner, the Chapter’s Vice President for Aerospace Education, are advancing individual development, workforce readiness, and national progress by equipping young learners with essential skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In a recent visit to Xenia Community Schools and Northridge Local Schools, Shof observed firsthand the impact of the chapter’s STEM grants, demonstrating how a $1,000 investment can ignite innovation and curiosity.
Xenia Community Schools: STEM From the Ground Up
Xenia’s approach to STEM education spans elementary to high school, offering students diverse and hands-on opportunities to explore the field. At Shawnee Elementary, Shof was introduced to an engaging drone coding program where 4th graders worked in teams to master takeoff, flight, and landing routines using block coding. Each team member played a critical role, from piloting to engineering, showcasing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Moving on to Warner Middle School, Shof toured labs dedicated to computer science, air and space flight, and robotics. The dedication of educators was evident, particularly in a robotics class where a teacher encouraged students to collaborate and overcome challenges independently.
At Xenia High School, the Junior ROTC (JROTC) program provided another example of innovation. With prior support from AFA WMC, students studied aerodynamics and participated in the IFLY experience in Mason, Ohio. This year, JROTC cadets continued to explore aerospace principles with hands-on activities like rocket experiments.
Northridge Local Schools: Building Skills for the Future
At Northridge Middle and High Schools, Shof explored how their STEM and Careers Annex has maximized the benefits of the AFA WMC grant. One highlight was the students’ participation in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s trebuchet pumpkin chucking contest. Using grant-funded equipment, students honed engineering skills by experimenting with lever designs and constructing their trebuchets.
The annex also houses a robust welding lab and advanced 3D printing capabilities, providing students with real-world technical skills. Northridge’s hydroponics program further stood out, blending science and agriculture to grow vegetables for the school lunch program. This unique initiative inspired Shof, who reflected on personal connections to the field and its critical role in sustainable food production.
A Shared Vision for the Future
These grants, made possible by the generosity of AFA WMC’s corporate community sponsors, underscore the chapter’s mission to inspire the next generation of innovators. By supporting programs that foster curiosity and technical expertise, AFA WMC is laying the groundwork for a more skilled and technologically advanced workforce.
Through their visits to Xenia and Northridge, Shof and the AFA WMC team have seen the profound impact of investing in young minds. As the chapter continues its work, the results are clear: every dollar spent on STEM education is a step toward building a brighter future.
For a more personal accounting by Shof of his visit to each school,
Click here for his visit to the Xenia School District
Click here for his visit to the Northridge School District
Click here to see our amazing corporate sponsors who helped make this happen!
