Dane participated in this last year and loved it.  They launched rockets and did some really cool experiments, etc.  He'll be doing it again this year, probably the 7th grade one.  There is no cost and the program is extremely well run.

To: Home School Parents

From: Diane MacAlpine

Date: 8/02/10

Re:   AFRL La Luz Academy Middle School Flights

Recruiting for the AFRL La Luz Academy’s 2010 – 2011 Flights has begun. We welcome your continued participation in our Middle School Flights with your children!

We are currently recruiting for DoD STARBASE® Flight (6th grade), PETES PRS Flight (7th grade) and Introduction to Systems Engineering Flight (8th grade).  Please read the description of each Flight that follows and send an e-mail with your child’s name, grade level and Flight you wish them to be a participant or fax the information to (505) 846-8932.  

The DoD STARBASE Flight, for sixth graders, helps students develop some basic skills and a realization that they can aspire to careers in STEM. The core  curriculum focuses on required topics which include Physics, Chemistry Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Operations and Applications, and STEM Careers. Students come to the AFRL La Luz Academy for five nonconsecutive days of instruction, during either the Fall or Spring semester of the school year. For this Flight, the curriculum focuses on Newton’s three laws of motion, fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, building blocks of matter, physical and chemical changes, atmospheric properties, innovations, navigation and mapping, engineering design process, 3-D computer-aided design, numbers and number relationships, measurement, geometry, data analysis, and STEM careers. Teamwork and the Air Force Core Values (Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do) are incorporated in this Flight.

The Providing Engineering and Technology for Students Phillips Research Site (PETES PRS) Flight, for seventh graders, explores STEM skills and topics related to the AFRL’s Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates as a springboard for student investigation. Students come to AFRL La Luz Academy for three non-consecutive days of hands-on STEM instruction. This curriculum uses STEM topics related to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates as a springboard for student investigation. Teamwork and the Air Force Core Values (Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do) are incorporated in this Flight. The curriculum includes satellite subsystems, optics, the electromagnetic spectrum, electrical circuitry, and space weather. Students explore wave movement with slinky coils and use light boxes to learn about visible light and color. The JELL-O Laser Lab activity provides an opportunity for students to experiment with lasers, lenses, and color (an edible experiment!). Light-sensitive Frisbees and sunscreen are used to investigate ultraviolet light, and students also create an ultraviolet detector with color changing beads. After researching the function of various electronic components, students solder the components to a printed circuit board, making a flashing light-emitting diode badge that says, “I’ve got the power!” Investigation of space weather begins with developing an understanding of how the sun affects systems on Earth. Students experiment with magnets and relate their observations to sunspots and the Earth’s magnetic field. They also observe the sun with a solar telescope, and then graph sunspot activity and satellite function. A Van de Graaff generator is used to help students understand solar wind.

In the Intro to Systems Engineering Flight, eighth grade students learn the basics of Systems Engineering, building and programming small robots called Boe-Bots® that run through a series of increasingly challenging obstacle courses.  Students come to AFRL La Luz Academy for three non-consecutive days of hands-on STEM instruction. Teamwork and the Air Force Core Values (Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do) are incorporated in this Flight. Students are introduced to the concept of a system, and see how a computer is an example of a system. The eighth graders learn how to think like a computer—in binary, using only ones and zeros, and try their hand at some binary math. They explore how to use a computer to talk to a microcontroller— using the BASIC programming language. Teams build their own Boe-Bot® robot by assembling the following components: a BASIC stamp board, a chassis, servomotors, wheels, a battery pack, and various screws, nuts, and washers. Students then program their Boe-Bot® to maneuver through a series of increasingly challenging obstacle courses. On their third curriculum day, students demonstrate their programming skills at the Robotics Expo.

On August 18, Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm we will be hosting an orientation for home school parents who would like their children to participate in our program during the 2009-2010 school year.  Please share this information with any home school families that are interested in participating in our Flights.  A parent for each student MUST attend and sign up for our Flights individually this year.  If you are unable to attend the August 18th orientation, please call and make arrangements to meet with us before August 28th.  The orientation is for disseminating information to parents only, students need not attend.


Please let me know if you have questions or need any additional information.  I look forward to seeing you at the Orientation.

Diane MacAlpine

Deputy Director AFRL La Luz Academy

505-853-8110

Hi Sharon! Thanks so much for posting this, last year Jesusin was too young, but we'd love to do this this year. I tried to find their website, but even from the Kirkland pages it won't get me anywhere. Do you know if there are any charges involved and if yes, about how much and till when do the classes run? We will head for Spain in April again, is why. If you don't know, don't worry, I'll call them, just curious.

OK, never mind, you just said the program is no cost. I should get some tea or coffee before I start asking questions, huh?

Good to see ya there Ginou!