Chapter STEM Outreach
August 19, 2025 | By Bill Yucuis
One of AFA’s primary missions is “Educate the public on the critical need for unrivaled aerospace power and promote aerospace and STEM education for a technically superior and professional workforce to ensure national security.” Each fall, we reach out to local schools to show how our Chapter can support STEM programs at their schools. Listed below our some of our recent efforts.
MacDill Homeschoolers organization: On July 31, Bill Yucuis met with Jessica Whatley, the MacDill Homeschoolers Coordinator to show how AFA and CAP STEM resources could be used by homeschoolers. Bill then gave two virtual presentations on August 14. showcasing these resources. He also became a member of their FB page
MacDill Homeschooler FB Page
Morgan HS Front entrance
Morgan HS classroom building
Hillsborough County Public Schools: Bill Yucuis has reached out to several schools, specifically to talk about AFA STEM programs, especially the two national STEM Competitions of StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot. On August 11, Bill Yucuis met with Jonathon Richman who is the school’s STEM coordinator and Physics teacher at Morgan High School in Wimauma. Morgan is a brand new school which just opened.
Florida College Academy (FCA): On August 12, Bill Yucuis met with Jeri Martin from the Florida College Academy (FCA), which is located in Temple Terrace. Jeri is an AFA life member, although with the Eglin Chapter because her full-time home is in Fort Walton Beach, and Bill has known her for many years. She is an FCA graduate and is currently the FCA Curriculum Director.
FCA is very active with the CAP Aerospace Connections in Space (ACE) Program. They were selected as the Outstanding ACE Program for last year and CAP is holding the national ACE Kick Off event at their school on October 2. When I talk to schools, I always emphasize that ACE is the best STEM program for Elementary schools.
FCA
Tinker K-8
Tinker K-8 school on MacDill AFB: Last school year, Bill Yucuis and Emily Farkas met with Cassie Smaller, the new Principal at Tinker K-8 school, and discussed how to help support her initiatives to increase STEM at tinker during the 2025-2026 school year. Bill Yucuis has talked with Bradley Baldus, the school’s STEM coordinator. They hope to establish a STEM club this year and Bill Yucuis has scheduled to meet him on August 19.