Course Syllabus

COURSE NAME: 

Aerospace Science 300: Exploring Space:  The High Frontier;      

Leadership Education 300: Life Skills & Career Opportunities  

The Mission of Air Force JROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.

CREDIT HOURS: (1) Physical Education OR Elective Credit for the entire year

INSTRUCTOR’S NAMES: Captain Pina & MSgt Araujo

REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS:

Aerospace Science 300: Exploring Space:  The High Frontier

1st Semester Chapter 1: The History of Astronomy

1st Semester Chapter 2: The Earth and Moon

1st Semester Chapter 3: The Sun and the Solar System

1st Semester Chapter 4: Deep Space

2nd Semester Chapter 5: Exploring, Living, and Working Space

2nd Semester Chapter 6: Space Programs

2nd Semester Chapter 7: The Space Shuttle

2nd Semester Chapter 8: Space Stations and Beyond

Leadership Education 200: Life Skills & Career Opportunities

1st Semester Chapter 1: Charting Your Financial Course

1st Semester Chapter 2: Managing Your Resources

2nd Semester Chapter 3: Career Opportunities  

2nd Semester Chapter 4: Aiming Towards a College Degree

Leadership Education: Drill Curriculum Chapters 1 – 3 (Will not exceed 50% of LE material)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course consists of three components: Aerospace Science (40%), Leadership Education (40%), and Wellness/Physical Fitness (20%). The Aerospace Science 300 portion introduces students to the of the space environment from the earliest days of interest in astronomy and early ideas of the heavens, through the Renaissance, and on into modern astronomy.  It provides an in-depth study of the Earth, Sun, stars, Moon, and Solar System, including the terrestrial and the other planets. Leadership Education 300 this course will be helpful to students deciding which path to take following high school graduation. Students will learn how to apply for admission into post-secondary education (college, vocational, technical school) and how to begin a job search. The course will also provide lessons on financial planning; how to save, invest, and spend money wisely, and how not to get caught in the credit trap. Students are informed about real life issues such as understanding contracts, leases, wills, warranties, legal notices, and personal bills. Citizens responsibilities such as registering to vote, jury duty, and selective service registration will also be covered.  For those students who may be moving into an apartment of their won, information is presented on apartment shopping and grocery shopping skills.  Information regarding pursuing a career as a federal civil servant, in aviation, or in the military.  Drill Curriculum is the drill and ceremonies portion of this course. Cadets will be taught the fundamentals of basic drill and describes individual and group precision movements, procedures for saluting, drill, ceremonies, reviews, parades, and development of the command voice. Students are provided detailed instruction on ceremonial performances and protocol for civilian and military events and have the opportunity to personally learn drill. Most of the work is to be hands-on. The Wellness/Physical Fitness portion will incorporate the Cadet Health and Wellness Program (CHWP). The CHWP is an exercise program focused upon individual base line improvements with the goal of achieving a Presidential Physical Fitness standard calculated with age and gender. The goal of the CHWP is to motivate JROTC cadets to lead active, healthy lifestyles beyond program requirements and into their adult lives. Students WILL wear the Air Force JROTC uniform weekly (Wednesday/Thursday) and the issued PT uniform on Fridays.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:

Aerospace Science 300: (Exploring Space: The High Frontier)  

1. Know the history of astronomy and the specific characteristics of the Earth, Moon, solar system, and the planets.

2. Comprehend the big picture of space exploration, including the history of spaceflight, organizations doing work in space, and the overall space environment.

3. Comprehend the importance of entering space, characteristics of unmanned and manned spaceflight, and how humans are affected during spaceflight.

4.  Comprehend the key concepts for getting from the surface of the Earth into orbit and to other planets and back again.

5.  Comprehend how spacecraft, rockets, and launch vehicles are designed and built.

6.  Comprehend the latest advances in space technology.

7.  Know the basic elements of navigation, the four basic navigation instruments, and the current methods of navigation.

Leadership Education 300: (Life Skills and Career Opportunities)

1.  Comprehend the importance of obtaining a degree or skill after high school.

2.  Comprehend that a proper job search is needed to obtain employment.

3.  Comprehend the importance of financial planning.

4.  Comprehend the career opportunities available through the federal government, NASA, FAA, and the military.

Drill and Ceremonies:

1. Know the importance of drill and ceremonies.

2. Know basic commands and characteristics of the command voice.

3. Apply and execute the concepts and principles of basic drill positions and movements.

4. Know when and how to salute.

5. Apply the principles and procedures of drill movements used with smaller units to the movement of a squadron.

Wellness and Physical Fitness:

1. Create an individualized training program based on national standards by age and gender.

2. Identify areas of improvements for each cadet and provide guidance for improvement.

3. Incorporate a physical training program to reach fitness goals.

ACTIVITY FEE: All Cadets are required to pay a $30 activity fee annually. This fee will be due within the first 6 weeks of school and prior to receiving cadet uniforms.

UNIFORM DAY: WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY and “Special Events” such as Military Ball, Veterans Day, Pass-in-Review, etc. Cadets are required to wear their Physical Training uniform on FRIDAYS.

GRADING PROCEDURES: Grades from the Aerospace Science portion of the course count 40% of the AFJROTC final grade and will be graded by the SASI/ASI. The Leadership Education portion of the grade counts 40% of the final grade and will be graded by the SASI/ASI. The wellness portion of the program counts for the remaining 20% of the final grade and will be graded by the SASI and/or ASI. Drill will be evaluated by the ASI and the SASI. Grades will be computed in accordance with standard district grading policy.

MAJOR GRADES

MINOR GRADES

Uniform Wear

Physical Training (PT)

Semester Project Grade entered as Sem Gd

LE-400 Assignments 50% of the Uniform Grade

Parades, Special Events

Class Work

GRADING SCALE: As set by the Texas State Board of Education

         GRADE                                      Percentage Required

         A                                                  90 and above

         B                                                  80-89

    C                                                 70-79

    F                                                  69 and below

GRADING PROCEDURES:

Uniform Inspections                                 40%

Classroom work/Participation                10%

Chapter tests                                             30%

PT participation                                        20%

UNIFORM WEAR (Major Grade): Uniform wear is a large part of the Air Force JROTC program. ALL cadets are required to wear the appropriate uniform each Wednesday or Thursday, from the start of the school day until released. Make-up day for absences on uniform day or simply failing to wear the uniform is the following Monday after school. Failing to wear the uniform all day will result in a “0” (zero) grade for that uniform inspection. HABITUAL NON-WEAR OF THE UNIFORM AND/OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER MILITARY GROOMING STANDARDS IN UNIFORM WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE AND DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.

EXAMS (Major Grade): AS-400 cadets will complete projects in lieu of semester exams.

SPECIAL EVENTS: At times, cadets may be required to wear their uniform for a special event, such as Veterans Day. In this case, cadets will receive their uniform inspection grade for that week based on wearing the uniform for that special occasion.

4th YEAR CADET PROJECT: During the course of the year, all 4th year cadets will receive a list of assignments to complete from the LE-400 text book over the course of the school year. The capstone project will consist of an essay due at the end of first semester based on a writing prompt provided by the instructor. Second semester cadets will complete an online anti-terrorism course. Additionally, any cadets who are not exempt from final exams second semester will complete a class presentation as their semester exam grade.

QUIZZES/CLASSWORK: There may be times when cadets are given class time to work on a short assignment where grades may be given.

PHYSICAL TRAINING: Cadets will be given a PT grade based on wear of the issued PT uniform and cadet participation. Each will count 50% towards the cadet’s PT grade for that day.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Cadets will have multiple opportunities to perform Air Force JROTC sponsored community service during each semester.

CURRICULUM IN ACTION TRIPS (CIA)/FIELD TRIPS: Throughout the semester, the cadets will have opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities that serve as an extension of the AFJROTC curriculum. These trips may include military base visits, museums, BMT graduation, etc. Cadets must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to participate.

CLASS BEHAVIOR: The nature of the AFJROTC mission, as well as its high visibility within the school and community, requires it members to adhere to higher standards than might be found among the student population. Inappropriate behavior, in or out of uniform, is prohibited while in participating in AFJROTC. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, consuming alcohol, drug abuse, tobacco use, horseplay, public displays of affection, fighting, disparaging remarks, insubordination, disrespect, verbal threats and physical attacks.

CELL PHONES: Cell phone policy is in accordance with Southside ISD district instructions. As a general rule, cell phones will not be used in AFJROTC. Only the instructor may allow a cadet to use their phone during classroom instructional time.

EXPECTATIONS FOR CADETS

1. Always use sir or ma’am.

2. Always be on time.

3. Bring required items to class.

4. Wear the correct uniform on the appropriate day.

5. Place bags under desk / on shelf.

6. Follow Directions…Do not talk out of turn.

7. Treat instructors and other cadets with respect.

8. Wear your uniform with pride.

9. Get involved with the corps.

10. Finally, Never Quit!!