For more information or to schedule a STEM visit, click on the following link to fill out a Request for STEM Support form that will be submitted to local STEM programs.

Scorpion Robotics is a Robotics Program currently in its second year at Desert Jr/ Sr High School. Scorpion Robotics is comprised of two competition teams (7227 and 9074) that compete in the nationally recognized FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Scorpion Robotics was founded based on the Air Force Core Values: Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do; as well as the FIRST ethos: Gracious Professionalism, and Coopertition.

During the year, the student teams build a complete robot from the ground up. Coaches and mentors drawn from the Edwards community volunteer to provide guidance and supervision, but the robot is the student's own design. During the build process, students learn concepts in mechanical design, electronics, and computer programing. They also learn the importance of test and evaluation and detailed documentation. The teams apply what they learn throughout the year to maximize their scoring potential for that year's game.

As the program continues to grow and student interest increases, we are always looking for additional mentors and coaches. If you would like to learn more about Scorpion Robotics or are interested in getting involved please email: scorpion-robotics@googlegroups.com.

THEMA (Tehachapi High Engineering and Manufacturing Academy) is a four-year program (grades 9 through 12) that helps high school students explore innovations in science, engineering, communication, and technology, prepare for college, technical school, and career pursuits in the areas of engineering, design, and manufacturing.

In the program, students learn through unique and shared science, English, and engineering electives that integrate engineering and manufacturing themes and projects, culminating with a senior-year internship with one of our corporate partners.

Students apply in 8th grade to be in the program. Through the help of important financial contributions, THEMA students take a variety of field trips related to engineering, including touring universities and engineering plants.

If you would like more information about the THEMA program, please contact Mr. Steven Hansen, THEMA Coordinator, at shansen@teh.k12.ca.us or call 822-2130, ext. 1812.

The Palmdale Aerospace Academy prepares its graduates for college and careers in the 21st century, aligned with workforce needs in the local area and beyond. The educational program emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and views academics through the lens of aerospace. Challenging projects, hands-on activities and collaborative learning engage student interest to maximize learning potential.

For more information about the AV Astronomy Club, go to www.tpaa.org.

The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club, Inc. (AVAC) was founded in 1982, and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1999, to bring the beauty of the night sky to the families of the Antelope Valley.

The AVAC provides programs for schools and other organizations on request. We have put on presentations at local schools, state parks, and anywhere the sky is dark, we also do daytime events.

The AVAC is located in the Antelope Valley, which is located in north-eastern Los Angeles County. Our members come from all over the valley, and as far away as Pasadena, they range in experience from beginner to advanced.

The AVAC offers a friendly, learning environment. It is a member of the Astronomical League and offers their quarterly newsletter, discounts, and observing programs at no additional cost to members.

The AVAC holds monthly meetings the second Friday of every month, except in December, at the S.A.G.E. Planetarium, 38060 20th Street East (located on the Northeast corner of East Avenue R and 20th East), in Palmdale CA, at 7:00 PM. The meetings include a monthly program about the fascinating night sky, as well as giving members and guests a chance to get together to talk about the stars or other topics of interest.

For more information about the AV Astronomy Club, go to www.avastronomyclub.org/ or e-mail president@avastronomyclub.org.

The Antelope Valley is home to one of the largest density concentrations of STEM related workers in the nation. The local major aerospace contractors (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman), the federal research labs in Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake, along with the private aerospace industry housed in the Mojave airport, are constantly recruiting local STEM talent offering high starting salaries and competitive benefits.

Furthermore, the need of STEM employees is also great at a national level as it has been documented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Science Foundation. Antelope Valley College is one of very few community colleges that offer a comprehensive pathway to all STEM related majors.

We are especially happy to announce a unique partnership between Antelope Valley College, the Cal State Long Beach State College of Engineering, and Cerro Coso Community College to offer a local engineering pathway to degree completion in mechanical and electrical engineering.

Students complete the first two years of their study at either community college and upon completion of all requirements they are guaranteed a place in the Long Beach Engineering program housed at the Lancaster University Center.

We are also in close partnership with all the local high school districts developing robust articulation agreements, summer programs, STEM competitions, and teacher training.

For more information, visit the AFC STEM Portal at www.avc.edu/stem.

California State University Long Beach, College of Engineering offers degree completion programs for transfer students seeking either a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Classes are held at the Lancaster University Center, 45356 Division St. Lancaster CA 93535. We also host Master of Science degree programs in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering offered by Cal Poly Pomona.

For more information regarding the degree completion program visit www.ccpe.csulb.edu/engineering or call 661-723-6429 ext 103 or 104 and for the Masters programs call Dr. Ali Ahmadi (MSAE) at 909-869-4314 or Charlene Ashton (MSEE) at 909-869-3996.

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program. At the center of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The competition puts teams of high school and middle school students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. In the rounds of competition, teams are given a set of virtual images that represent operating systems and are tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the images and hardening the system while maintaining critical services in a six hour period. Teams compete for the top placement within their state and region, and the top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Washington, DC for the National Finals Competition where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money.

AFA Chapter 294 has been partnering with Desert High School to be in this exciting program for the past three years. We are always looking for people interested in helping educate and mentor these students. If you are interested, please contact Randy Kelly at randolph.kelly.2@us.af.mil.

The Discovery School STEM Academy, a 6th-8th grade program of choice in the Lancaster School District, offers all students two electives. In the nine courses of PLTW Gateway, students learn about the variety of engineering careers, fly rockets, design and program robots, build small solar cars, create Rube Goldberg machines, draw 3D computer models which they can then print on the school's 3D printer, and study the basics of computer programming, among other activities.

The AVID elective is designed to prepare students for college through rigorous preparation in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and critical reading skills.

For more information visit their website at www.discoveryschoolk8.org and their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DiscoveryK8.