Page 17 - Aerotech News and Review May 5 2017

Volunteers honored for their vital role to mission
by Kenji Thuloweit and Airman 1st Class Jeurel Barton
Edwards AFB, Calif.
Team Edwards held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Cer- emony April 19 at the Oasis Community Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The yearly event is a chance to recognize those in the com- munity that go above and beyond to help out. The ceremony shed light on how much the base depends on volunteerism.
“The purpose of the ceremony is to honor and say thank you to all of our volunteers that sacrificed their time and efforts to make Edwards AFB a great place to work, live and play,” said Glen Arola, 412th Force Support Squadron Volunteer Program
manager. “Without volunteer support many units and organizations on Edwards would not be able to function. Organizations such as youth sports, base chapel, Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Airman’s Attic, APET, Retiree Activities Office and many others rely on volunteers like those here today.”
The theme for this year was “Service Unites.” Volunteer efforts at Edwards in the past year totaled 23,784 hours, which translated to a dollar amount totaling $561,517, according to Arola.
“Our mission here at Edwards is to test and evaluate weapons systems to ensure war-winning combat capabilities; that’s what we do,” said Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing com- mander. “When you take part as a vol- unteer, you’re step- ping up, whether you know it or not. When you’re doing that thing with the
An Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Propulsion Division program to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics projects with local high schools struck a resounding chord with one school, inspiring an effort to explore the science of producing synthesized electronic music.
Lancaster High School has teamed with AFRL’s Engineering & Science Produc- ing Inspirational Rewarding Education, or ENSPIRE, program for a year. During that year the team developed the idea to use an electronic instrument known as a Theremin to explore the science of producing synthesized music.
A Theremin electronically synthesizes sounds when hands are waved between two perpendicular antennae that protrude from a box. It was invented by a Russian physicist named Leon Theremin in 1919.
The project, called the “Theremin Me” project, is part of the music produc- tion club at the school. The students plan on building several Theremins and are collaborating with Lancaster High’s Robotics Team 399, to pull from the team’s experience with manufacturing and electronics.
The school announced the music project to its local community as part of its Lancaster High Robotics Team 399’s annual robot rollout to show the efforts LHS has already put toward furthering STEM programs, and to display the partnership between the robotics team and the “Theremin Me” project.
The school also recognized AFRL and the benefits of the ENSPIRE program’s help in promoting STEM programs.
1st Lt. Harvey Hurst, the “Theremin Me” ENSPIRE program manager and an AFRL program manager, was asked to offer a few words as a representative for the ENSPIRE sponsorship and as the new mentor for Team 399.
“I have no doubt the team will continue to use these (ENSPIRE) funds to inno- vate and educate others on the importance of not only STEM, but STEAM as well; and their efforts of incorporating art into STEM played a key role in establishing the educational partnership agreement with AFRL.”
The AFRL Rocket Lab ENSPIRE program seeks to inspire innovation in stu- dents to become more involved in STEM curriculums by seeking exceptional and pioneering projects that develop the next generation of STEM activities in schools to take STEM programs to a new level in the Antelope Valley. Schools were required to submit their proposals to the AFRL Rocket Lab explaining how
Aerotech News and Review
1st Lt. Harvey Hurst, Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Propulsion Division program manager, speaks to
a crowd at Lancaster High School March 23, 2017.
Air Force photograph by Christopher Higgins
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Megan Rosario hold up a giant check showing how much volunteering has helped Edwards. Volunteer efforts at Edwards in the past year totaled 23,784 hours, which translated to a dollar amount totaling $561,517.
Air Force photograph by Christopher Higgins
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Megan Rosario cut the ceremonial cake with a sabre during Edwards AFB’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony held at the Oasis Community Center April 19, 2017. Rosario is this year’s Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award recipient for the base.
Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts, or tutoring that student, you’re actually stepping up for your na- tion and that is a huge deal. It is very meaningful because you’re stepping up and volunteering to take part in the mission of na- tional security.”
More than 120 people were in attendance to honor the volun- teers who received certificates of appreciation and a catered lunch. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. John Porter of the Palmdale School District. He is the assis- tant superintendent for Special Education and Student Services.
Each year at the ceremony,
one individual is presented with the Air Force Volunteer Ex- cellence Award for long-term volunteerism that has positively impacted military installations or their surrounding communi- ties. Unlike the quarterly and annual volunteer service awards, the Volunteer Excellence Award can only be received once in a lifetime. This year’s recipient is Megan Rosario.
Rosario is a member of the Edwards Officers’ Spouses Club and of the Parent Teacher Organization for Branch Elementary. She has also volunteered at the base chapel and as a teacher’s aide.
“The Volunteer Excellence Award is a one-time award given to an individual who has done volunteer service impacting not only the base, but the outlying community over an extended period of time. Megan was truly deserving of the prestigious award,” Arola said.
Both Schaefer and Arola iterated that volunteers are vital to the base community and each volunteer is special to the wing and worthy of the community’s “utmost recognition.”
AFRL ENSPIRE program strikes resounding chord with students
Edwards’ Military Retiree Appreciation
Day
Edwards Air Force Base’s 2017 Military Retiree Apprecia- tion Day is scheduled for 9 a.m.- 1p.m., May 6 at the Oasis Com- munity Center.
Military retirees and spouses are invited to come out and learn about programs that affect re- tirees and receive free services during the visit. Legal services, immunizations, retiree benefits information, door prizes and re- freshments will be available.
Dental services will be avail- able to the first 40 eligible re- tirees including limited dental exams and radiographs. Call 661-277-2872 to make an ap- pointment.
For more information on the Edwards 2017 Military Retiree Appreciation Day, contact the Retiree Activity Office at 661- 277-4931; or e-mail 412tw.rao@ us.af.mil.
Volunteers are also needed. To volunteer, please contact Senior Airman Ronald Flanagan at 661- 277-5053.
they would improve STEM in their classroom, their school or across the district. These proposals included a short write-up and a budget for the projects. The Rocket Lab has partnerships with 10 local high schools through the program.
Partnerships between the local community and the AFRL are extremely impor- tant, according to Kriss Vander Hyde, lead for the AFRL Rocket Lab ENSPIRE program.
“At the Rocket Lab, we recognize a great need for STEM talent to develop the advancements we need for Air Force technology dominance, said Vander Hyde. “ENSPIRE takes another step in paving the road for STEM growth and ensuring America’s reign as a technological powerhouse. We believe that projects like ‘Theremin Me’ will inspire our students to take the career path that will shape our nation’s technology and our future.”
May 5, 2017
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Air Force photograph by Kyle Larson