NCASE 2001 can be viewed at:  http://capnhq.gov/nhq/capnews/01-05/feats.htm .

Five educators were inducted into the Crown Circle for Aerospace Education Leadership during Civil Air Patrol’s 34th National Congress on Aviation and Space Education, March 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis.

Established in 1979, the award is considered to be one of the most prestigious honors bestowed worldwide in the field of aerospace education. Since its establishment, only 100 people worldwide have been so honored.

The five honorees included: Mary Feik, an expert in restoration of historic aircraft; Judith Rice, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s educational outreach project manager; Michael McArdle, a Wisconsin aerospace education teacher; Dr. Jane Hodges, an education publisher, author and consultant; and the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year, retired U.S. Marine Col. Jack Howell, the lead magnet teacher and department chair for military science and aviation at Jean Ribault Senior High School in Jacksonville, Fla.

"These educators join some of the brightest and best teachers in the history of aerospace education," stated CAP National Commander Brig. Gen. James C. Bobick. "Civil Air Patrol is proud to continue recognizing educators for their crowning achievements."

The Crown Circle inductions are a part of CAP’s National Congress on Aviation and Space Education. The congress, supported by the U.S. Air Force, is presented each year to provide educators and CAP members with the latest innovations in aerospace education. At this year’s congress, participants from across the nation took part in a wide variety of seminars, panel discussions and workshops presented by master aerospace educators.

An eclectic mix of guest speakers included: aviation pioneer A. Scott Crossfield; around-the-world Voyager pilot Dick Rutan; aircraft maintenance instructor and restoration specialist Mary Feik; Challenger Center for Space Science Education founder Dr. June Scobee Rodgers; NASA astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cagle; Berlin Airlift "Candy Bomber" retired Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen; and naturalist Bill Lishman.

"The Congress affords educators and CAP members the opportunity to experience all the wonders of aviation and space," explained John Salvador, Aerospace Education chief. "Teachers attending the 2001 Congress received volumes of information and practical hands-on training on how to use aviation and space education themes to inspire their students to excel in science, math, technology, language arts and other subjects."

Next year — April 3-6 — the congress will mark its 35th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, it will be part of the Centennial Celebration of Flight in Cincinnati and Dayton.

"As always, it is going to be an exciting motivational and learning experience," said Salvador.

The congress is open to anyone interested in aerospace education.

For details on the 2002 congress, as well as a registration brochure, check out CAP’s Web site at www.capnhq.gov/conference or contact Salvador at jsalvador@capnhq.gov or (334) 953-4252.

Members: to submit a news item, compose an email message with the subject line "NCAE NEWS ITEM," identify your member organization, then send it to webmaster@aviationeducation.org