THE AFA SAM JOHNSON CHAPTER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Investing in the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders

Our mission is to inspire and motivate young people to understand the critical role of a dominant aerospace force in our national defense. We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of a young person’s call to service or their passion for aviation.

Through the Dallas Aerospace Education Foundation, the Sam Johnson Chapter (232) provides the scholarships and financial backing necessary for local youth to participate in elite aerospace programs they might otherwise never access.

How You Can Make a Difference: The Dallas Aerospace Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Whether large or small, every donation directly funds a student’s path toward leadership and flight.

  • By Mail: Send contributions to Mr. Ric Hamer, 1965 Remington Lane, Frisco, TX 75033.
  • Contact: For questions or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Ric at 214-500-0951 or via email.

Spotlight: CyberPatriot

The National Youth Cyber Education Program

As the battlefield shifts toward the digital domain, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been more urgent. CyberPatriot was conceived by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines critical to our nation’s future.

The program consists of three primary pillars:

  • National Youth Cyber Defense Competition: High school and middle school students are put in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. They must find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities while maintaining critical services.
  • AFA CyberCamps: Summer programs designed to introduce students to cybersecurity principles and safe online behaviors.
  • Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative: Programs tailored to start the conversation about digital safety and STEM early in a child’s education.

Local Impact:

The Sam Johnson Chapter actively mentors and supports local teams as they compete at the national level. For more information on how to get involved or support a local team, please contact our CyberPatriot/StellarXplorers Coordinator, Eric Weingaertner.

To learn more about the national program, visit www.uscyberpatriot.org.

THE AFA SAM JOHNSON CHAPTER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Investing in the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders

Our mission is to inspire and motivate young people to understand the critical role of a dominant aerospace force in our national defense. We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of a young person’s call to service or their passion for aviation.

Through the Dallas Aerospace Education Foundation, the Sam Johnson Chapter (232) provides the scholarships and financial backing necessary for local youth to participate in elite aerospace programs they might otherwise never access.

How You Can Make a Difference: The Dallas Aerospace Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Whether large or small, every donation directly funds a student’s path toward leadership and flight.

  • By Mail: Send contributions to Mr. Ric Hamer, 1965 Remington Lane, Frisco, TX 75033.

Contact: For questions or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Ric at 214-500-0951 or via email.

StellarXplorers: The National Space STEM Program

Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Professionals

As space becomes increasingly vital to our national security, the Sam Johnson Chapter is proud to support StellarXplorers. This Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) initiative challenges K-12 students to master the complexities of aerospace engineering, aviation, and the STEM disciplines critical to our nation’s future.

Our Programs

1. The National Space Design Competition

This is the premier space-focused competition in the United States. Teams are tasked with solving real-world orbital mechanics and system design problems using Systems Tool Kit (STK)—the same simulation software used by NASA and the U.S. Space Force.

  • The Challenge: Teams solve complex scenarios involving orbit determination, satellite component selection, and launch vehicle planning.
  • The Timeline: Practice rounds begin in October, with Qualification Rounds in November.
  • The Reward: The top 10 teams in the nation receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Finals to compete for top honors.

2. StellarCamp

A fun program for 6th–12th graders designed for those with no prior experience.  Those who participate in StellarCamps are not required to compete in StellarXplorers the following competition season.

Our Mission

  • Focus: An “on-ramp” to space system design.
  • Outcome: Students learn the basics of STK software and compete in a practice mini-competition on day five. It is the perfect introduction for students considering the full competition in the fall.

Mission & Values

  • Our Vision: To cultivate STEM leaders who will lead the way to space and beyond.

Our Core Values

  • Integrity : The foundations of the competition are the honesty and ethics of all those involved in the program, especially in the absence of supervision.
  • Service. The spirit of the competition is dependent on the ethos of “service before self.” All adults must put competitor well-being and education ahead of their own in throughout all StellarXplorers-related activities.
  • Excellence. The competition pushes Competitors to achieve their best, both during and beyond their participation.

Purpose & Eligibility

  • StellarXplorers welcomes those who are interested in space, no matter what level of experience, as a place to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others who share a similar passion for problem-solving, team collaboration, and space system design.
  • StellarXplorers provides students with leadership opportunities and mentors other students in science, technology, engineering, math, and organization management.
  • StellarXplorers gives members insight into the space industry and cultivates relationships between students and professionals.

Eligibility & Equal Opportunities

Participation in StellarXplorers will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, experience, gender identity, gender expression, or sex.

Get Involved in North Texas

The Sam Johnson Chapter is actively recruiting students, coaches, and mentors. Whether you are a student ready to launch or a professional ready to mentor, we want you on our team.

Point of Contact: Eric Weingaertner CyberPatriot/StellarXplorers Coordinator

For more technical details on the national program, visit StellarXplorers.org.