As part of our semester-long Signature Project, Operation StormWatch, STEM Academy 4th and 5th grade students recently took STEM learning beyond the classroom with a visit to the Suffolk Executive Airport, where they explored hands-on learning connected to aviation, emergency response, and the critical role of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in disaster relief efforts.
A Day of Hands-On STEM and Real-World Connections
During the visit, students spent the day learning alongside members of the Civil Air Patrol, Tidewater Composite Squadron, engaging in a series of hands-on STEM activities designed and led by CAP cadets. These experiences introduced students to key concepts in aviation, physics, and engineering while highlighting how these skills are used in real emergency-response situations.
Students rotated through multiple interactive stations where they explored:
- Catapult launchers and force in motion
- Balloon rockets and propulsion
- Straw rockets and design optimization
- Bernoulli’s principle and lift
- Aviation basics and flight concepts
What made the experience especially powerful was that CAP cadets themselves selected, designed, and facilitated the activities, serving as mentors and role models while sharing their own experiences in aviation and service.
Connecting Aviation to Operation StormWatch
Throughout the day, students learned how the Civil Air Patrol plays an integral role in emergency response and disaster relief, including aerial reconnaissance, search and rescue, damage assessment, and logistics support following severe weather events. These connections directly support Operation StormWatch, where students are exploring how communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
A huge thank you to Lt Col Robin Haight, CAP Deputy Commander, Tidewater Composite Squadron, for coordinating this incredible experience and welcoming our students into the world of Civil Air Patrol. We are also deeply grateful to the many Tidewater Composite Squadron cadets who led sessions, shared their expertise, and created such engaging learning experiences for our students.
Thank You to Our Community Hosts
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to:
- Suffolk Executive Airport for hosting our students and providing access to this authentic learning environment
- The airport restaurant, Suffolk BBQ, for providing lunch for our students during the visit
Your hospitality helped make this an unforgettable day.
Looking Ahead: More StormWatch Learning on the Way
This experience is just another step in our Operation StormWatch journey. Next week, members of the Civil Air Patrol will visit the STEM Academy to lead a mock Point of Distribution (POD) shelter and supply drive, helping students understand how communities organize and distribute essential resources during emergencies. Students will also learn about drone operations, aviation pathways, and emergency logistics, along with a visit from Suffolk Fire & Rescue.
Follow along with our Forecast Friday at STEM Academy series to see how students continue stepping into real emergency-management roles and building STEM skills as they prepare for their culminating mock disaster simulation at the Suffolk Emergency Operations Center this March.
The forecast calls for curiosity, collaboration, and more exciting learning ahead.
