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AF announces new innovation workshops at Science, Technology Forum

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Gibson
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Air Force announced dates and locations of the 14 upcoming innovation workshops open to the public during the Science and Technology 2030 Summit in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18.

“We will continue to invite participation by nontraditional partners, including the next generation of scientists and engineers, in an effort to collect ideas from people who don’t normally interact with the Air Force,” Wilson said.

The innovation workshops, designed to partner external ideas with Air Force resources, will be held in the following locations:

March 11-15, 2018: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), Phoenix, Arizona
March 22, 2018: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
March 29-30, 2018: Best Practices from State and Federal Government Organizations, Washington D.C.
April 22-26, 2018: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Orlando, Florida
April 26, 2018: University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
May 6-11, 2018: National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Indianapolis, Indiana
May 10, 2018: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
May 21-24, 2018: Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), Long Beach, California
May 22, 2018: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
June 21-22, 2018: Best Practices from Industry and International Organizations, Washington D.C.
June 25-29, 2018: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Atlanta, Georgia
June 27, 2018: Texas A&M, College Station, Texas
July 9-11, 2018: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Cincinnati, Ohio
July 26, 2018: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

In September, the service began a review of its science and technology strategy led by the Air Force Research Laboratory with a focus on identifying the highest priorities for Air Force research and examining the way in which the service conducts its research.

Wilson emphasized the importance of extending outside internal research to ensure the Air Force stays on the cutting edge of technology.

“In a world where far more innovation is happening outside the government than inside it, connecting to the broader scientific enterprise is vital,” Wilson said.

Air Force senior leaders believe the answers to the most complex security issues will be delivered by harnessing the power of innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide.

"From jet engines to GPS, the Air Force has a rich history of researching and developing new technologies that become foundational capabilities for warfighters and a key part of everyday life for Americans," said Maj. Gen. William Cooley, AFRL commander. "With this initiative, we are going out to listen to Americans from higher education to small and large businesses to understand what basic and applied technologies will help us create the next game-changing inventions for 2030 and beyond."

For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com/2030.

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.