Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation facts for kids
The Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation (DASEF) is a special kind of non-profit group that helps people learn about space and flight. It teaches students of all ages about math, science, technology, and aerospace. DASEF does this through fun learning programs, talks, and its Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC).
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How DASEF Started
DASEF was created in 1989 by Dr. Stephanie M.G. Wright. It began with one program called "Destination Orbit." Soon, DASEF grew to offer eight different learning programs.
DASEF's Mission
DASEF's main goal is to inspire and teach people in the Delaware area. They want everyone to learn about Earth's environment, space science, math, and technology. They use programs, events, and the ITEC center to do this.
Many groups help DASEF with its programs. These include Delaware's colleges and universities, the Delaware Space Grant Consortium, the Delaware Air National Guard, Dover Air Force Base, the Department of Transportation, Delaware Parks and Recreation, and the Civil Air Patrol.
The Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC)
The ITEC site is a large, 40-acre area in Smyrna, Delaware. It shares space with Big Oak County Park. Building started in 2003. The first part finished was the Environmental Outpost. This outpost has the Mountjoy Observatory, which holds the second-largest telescope in Delaware.
The ITEC building is designed to be good for the environment. It uses solar panels and other energy-saving technologies. ITEC also hosts a "Family Day" twice a year for everyone to visit and enjoy.
Fun Learning Programs
DASEF offers many programs for people in the Delaware area. Some of the most popular programs are the Delaware Aerospace Academy, Launching a Dream, and Rockets for Delaware. These programs help people learn about the exciting world of flight and space.
Delaware Aerospace Academy (DAA)
The Delaware Aerospace Academy (DAA) is a week-long program for students. It's for kids entering 1st through 10th grade. The academy has eight different programs called "Destinations." These programs are held at the Environmental Outpost or the University of Delaware. They happen from late June to mid-July.
- Destinations Ocean and Dinosaur are day camps at the Environmental Outpost in Smyrna.
- Destinations Sky & Beyond, Space, Flight, and Orbit are day camps at the University of Delaware.
- Destinations Moon and Mars are overnight camps at the University of Delaware. These offer more challenges for older students.
All students in the academy are called "cadets," just like in the military. Each academy is set up with four groups, called "wings." Each wing has 10 cadets.
Students often get to visit Dover Air Force Base. They also get to launch model rockets, which is a lot of fun!
| Destination | Grade | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Destination Ocean | Entering 1st or 2nd grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Dinosaur | Entering 2nd or 3rd grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Sky and Beyond | Entering 3rd or 4th grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Space | Entering 4th or 5th grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Flight | Entering 5th or 6th grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Orbit | Entering 6th to 8th grade | Full Day Academy |
| Destination Moon | Entering 7th to 9th grade | Overnight Academy |
| Destination Mars | Entering 8th to 10th grade | Overnight Academy |
Launching a Dream Program
"Launching a Dream" is a yearly program for elementary school students. It helps them learn about space. The coolest part of this program is a school bus that has been changed into a pretend Space Shuttle. This special bus has wings and a tail that can extend out for students to use in simulations. They can also fold in for the bus to drive on roads.
Rockets for Delaware
"Rockets for Delaware" is an event held every May at Cape Henlopen State Park. It's a day where people launch all kinds of model rockets. You can see everything from water rockets to larger, more powerful rockets.
