BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE COMPOSITE SQUADRON
Civil Air Patrol Maryland Wing
Learning Opportunities
In keeping with Civil Air Patrol's emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), our members have the ability to partake in a number of unique learning opportunities throughout the year. We work to provide members with fun, but stimulating projects and activities that improve their understanding of various STEM-related topics and environments in which they can apply them. Some recent activities include:
Green Bank Observatory Trip
Green Bank, West Virginia is home to the world renowned Green Bank Telescope. The Green Bank Telescope is the world's largest, steerable radio telescope. The area in which the telescope in located, lies with the United States' National Radio Quiet Zone which limits the use of any signals passing through the area, to include cellphones. Due to this, the area has a prime and uninhibited view of the galaxy above and serves as an excellent place study outer space. During the weekend, members learn how to manipulate and record findings from an actual radio telescope that is typically only used by upper-level college students.
Near Space Balloon Launch
On two separate occasions, our cadets and senior members, constructed, launched, and recovered a near-space weather balloon. This project allowed members to experience completing a scientific project from beginning to end. The balloon took videos of the stratosphere and collected other data. The first balloon launch reaching an altitude over 100,000 feet and the second over 90,000 feet.
Model Rockets
CAP's Model Rocketry Program is an achievement program for cadets interested in the science, technology, and flight of model rockets.
The Redstone Stage reviews the history of rocketry and its great pioneers, to include Robert Goddard and Werhner Von Braun.
The Titan Stage details the physical laws which govern objects on the Earth, in the air and in space above us.
The Saturn Stage presents information on trigonometry for altitude tracking, and physics of impulse and thrust associated with solid rocket engines.
Robotics
Civil Air Patrol provided squadrons with a number of STEM kits to work with, one of which was a robotics kits. This kit allowed members to construct and manipulate robotic arms.
Video taken from our Balloon Launch