BY KIM HILSENBECK
Students from Hays CISD’s Camino Real Elementary enjoyed a day at the San Marcos Airport Monday. As part of the school’s K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program, the students watched from the control tower as their teachers took off in prop engine planes. They also experienced real flight through Redbird Skyport’s simulators. Students were hosted by members of the David Lee (TEX) Hill Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a nonprofi t auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force since 1948. The CAP has three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Camino Real has been part of the ACE program since it started seven years ago by the CAP. Last year, more than 20,000 students across the country participated in the ACE program at their respective schools. ACE schools use the aerospace theme to promote all areas of academics, especially STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects, but also character education and physical fitness.
