FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flight Test Historical Foundation and Air Force Research Lab Announce Successful STEM Education Grant Program
Aerospace Valley, CA — February 25, 2025 — In partnership with the STEM Education team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Lab at Edwards Air Force Base, the Flight Test Historical Foundation is proud to announce the successful distribution of the ENSPIRE program grants awarded for the 2025 academic year.
The ENSPIRE program addresses a critical national need. According to the National Center for Engineering and the Economy, the United States graduates the lowest percentage of engineering degree holders of any industrialized nation, far below that of Japan, China, and Canada. Since 2016, the Department of the Air Force has funded local AF entities to help K-12 schools near Air Force and Space Force Bases implement advanced educational practices and technologies in STEM disciplines with the aim of supporting Air and Space Force critical technologies and workforces.
A key focus of the program is expanding STEM education opportunities to students across various backgrounds. Applicants must include metrics describing the targeted student population and how this population will be impacted by the proposed project. Additionally, all projects must employ active learning strategies, which educational research has shown to be effective at improving learning outcomes and self-efficacy in STEM disciplines.
The grants provide funding at two levels: School Level Projects ($10,000) and Teacher Level Projects ($5,000). These grants support innovative educational experiences ranging from one-time programs to weekly engagements and week-long immersive experiences. These grants have significantly expanded Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across multiple campuses, reaching underserved student populations and inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals. This year’s recipients are continuing this good work!
“We are grateful to the STEM team at AFRL for their partnership and securing the funding for these grants to benefit our local students,” said Lisa Sheldon Brown, Executive Director of Education for the Flight Test Historical Foundation. “By connecting students to the rich aerospace history and cutting-edge technology developed by the AFRL, we’re helping to build the STEM workforce of tomorrow while addressing critical educational needs today.”
Successful Projects Highlight Innovation in STEM Education
Th3 2024-2025 school year’s grant cycle awarded over $53,000 in early January to fund innovative STEM education projects across multiple schools. These funded projects demonstrated excellence in the four key areas required by the program:
- Introduction to Air and Space Force careers
- Exploration of Air and Space Force critical technologies
- Reaching a broad range of student populations
- Implementation of active, hands-on educational experiences
School-Level Projects ($10,000):
- Glider Flight at Cabrillo High School & Engineering Design Pathway, led by Science and Engineering teacher Kenneth Fisher, this innovative project exposes students to STEM opportunities through flight test engineering concepts. Students learn flight theory, develop test plans, collect and analyze flight data, and even participate in actual glider flights. The project incorporates Air Force critical technologies including artificial intelligence in unmanned flight systems, advanced materials, and advanced computing for large data processing. Using flight simulators and hands-on experiences, students discover career paths in aerospace while developing technical skills across multiple grade levels.
- “Soaring” above the Clouds at Fulton & Alsbury Academy, led by Sciene teacher Michelle Reynolds, this creative project engages students in creating scaled models of historic aerospace and aviation achievements for display at the Antelope Valley Christmas Parade. Students research significant aircraft and spacecraft from the past 75 years, learn about Air Force critical technologies used in each project, and apply math and engineering skills to build large-scale flying models. Each team researches different aerospace milestones, from the Wright Brothers’ plane to modern achievements like the B-21 Raider and Mars Rover, creating a visual timeline of aviation and space exploration progress to share with the community.
- Solar Falcon Race Team at Palmdale High School, led by Science Teacher Matt Hinzie, this hands-on engineering project challenges students to design, build, and race a solar-powered electric car. Students apply principles from multiple STEM disciplines as they work through research, design, construction, testing, and competition phases. The project incorporates Air Force critical technologies related to renewable energy, aerodynamics, and advanced manufacturing techniques including custom metal fabrication and composite materials. With support from Air Force employees and partnerships with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, students gain practical experience while exploring potential
career paths in engineering. The project emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and real-world application of STEM concepts.
- How do we manage Space? At Tumbleweed Dual Immersion Elementary School, led by teacher Misti Larrick, this elementary-level project introduces young students to space management concepts through two interactive modules. Using Ozobots and Sphero robots, students learn about orbital mechanics, satellite operations, and Earth observation from space. The first module focuses on gravity, forces, and commanding satellites, while the second explores how weather satellites help monitor Earth’s environment. The project aligns with NGSS standards and introduces Space Force careers to elementary students in a Title I dual immersion school. Through hands-on activities with programmable robots, students gain early exposure to space technology concepts that align with critical Space Force capabilities.
Teacher-Level Projects ($2,500-$5,000):
- Astronomy Space Camp at Tehachapi High School, led by Science teacher Robert Lang, this immersive program takes students from a rural community on a daylong educational trip to the California Science Center and Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Students interact with Air Force aerospace engineers, explore decommissioned space shuttles, experience flight simulators, and view the IMAX film “Deep Sky” about the James Webb Space Telescope. The project connects students in a remote area with space technology professionals and resources unavailable in their community, aligning with NGSS standards while introducing them to potential Space Force and Air Force careers.
- Pollution Solution at Fulton & Alsbury Academy, led by STEM teacher Aneek daGama, this comprehensive environmental science project builds on students’ work with NASA PACE-PAX to understand air and sea monitoring. Students build weather stations to track temperature changes, conduct experiments to test air quality, and learn to identify pollutants in water sources. The project includes a simulation of a water crisis where students take on different community roles to investigate contamination sources. Students also build underwater robots to collect samples from simulated polluted water sources. The project connects to Air Force careers in environmental monitoring and introduces students to tracking systems like sonar and radar, while emphasizing how research is conducted using aircraft and underwater vehicles.
- Bringing Engineering to Life at Knight Preparatory Academy, led by Science and Engineering teacher James Stockdale, this innovative project engages 8th-
grade pre-engineering students in building fully functional Fender Stratocaster-style guitars as a vehicle for teaching engineering concepts. Students design custom guitar bodies using modeling software, create toolpaths for CNC routers, select appropriate materials based on strength and weight specifications, learn finishing and painting techniques, and master soldering for electronics assembly. The project incorporates Air Force critical technologies related to advanced materials, fabrication, and finishing processes similar to those used in aircraft production. Local Air Force employees who specialize in advanced materials and aircraft preparation will speak with students, connecting the skills learned to potential career paths.
- Systems Integration – Vacuum Forming at Lancaster High School, led by Engineering teacher Eryk Frias, this manufacturing project engages students in designing, building, and testing a vacuum forming machine through a collaborative systems integration approach. Students work in specialized teams focusing on different aspects of the machine—mechanical design, electronics, control systems, and materials—mirroring how aerospace manufacturing teams operate. The project incorporates multiple Air Force critical technologies including advanced materials, additive manufacturing, automated control systems, and rapid prototyping techniques. Students gain practical engineering experience while creating a functional machine that will be used to produce molds for composite fabrication. The project culminates with students presenting their work at a STEM Expo with industry professionals.
- 5th grade Space Technology Exploration at The Palmdale Aerospace Academy, led by teacher Autaumn Deland
These projects encompass a variety of approaches to STEM education, from hands-on engineering experiences to space exploration concepts, all aligned with Air Force critical technology areas. The Air Force considers several technology areas critical for future development, and all funded projects must relate to one of these areas:
- Directed Energy
- Hypersonics
- Integrated Sensing/Cyber
- Biotechnology
- Quantum Science
- Human Machine Interfaces
- Space Technologies
- Future Generation Wireless
- Advanced Materials
- Autonomy & Trusted AI
- Integrated Network System of Systems
- Microelectronics
- Renewable Energy
- Advanced Computing & Software
New Partnerships Strengthen Program Impact
The 2024-2025 grant cycle marked the first year of collaboration between the AFRL Rocket Lab and the Flight Test Historical Foundation’s (FTHF) Education Office as the grants expediter. Additionally, the Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) joined as evaluators and professional support partners. “By combining the technical expertise of the AFRL with the educational mission of the FTHF and the professional network of the AIAA, we’ve created a powerful coalition for STEM education in our community,” said Kriss Vanderhyde, AFRL Rocket Lab ENSPIRE Program Manager.
The FTHF provides educational programming for the Flight Test Museum which provides educational programs for local school districts with opportunities for every student to experience the principles of STEM in flight test and aerospace research. Their mission is to expand knowledge, inspire, and motivate future generations using examples of advancements in aerospace from 75 years of aviation history.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession, has committed its Antelope Valley chapter to fostering learning in aerospace technologies.
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Sheldon Brown, Ph.D. Flight Test Historical Foundation 323.630.4789 lbrown@flighttestmuseum.org
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About the Flight Test Historical Foundation The Flight Test Historical Foundation is dedicated to preserving the rich history of flight testing and promoting STEM education in the Antelope Valley. The foundation connects students to the aerospace legacy of Edwards Air Force Base through educational programs, museum exhibits, and community outreach.
About the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Lab The Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Lab at Edwards Air Force Base conducts cutting-edge research in rocket propulsion technologies while supporting STEM education initiatives to develop the future aerospace workforce.
