Cadets help with STEM questions on Homework Hotline

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Hammes
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
PUEBLO, Colo. --  Two Academy cadets headed to Pueblo Oct. 24 to help youngsters with their homework and answer questions about applying to the Air Force's Academy.

Cadets 3rd Class Warren Metcalf and Casey Evans appeared on "Homework Hotline" on KTSC, Colorado State University-Pueblo's Public Broadcasting Service channel.

Homework Hotline allows grade school children to call in with their homework questions and win prizes for answering science or math questions posed by the show's hosts.

Metcalf and Evans volunteered to appear on the show through the Academy's STEM Club, which promotes scientific, technological, mathematic and engineering fields.

Metcalf was excited to encourage students to apply to the Academy.

"It's an easy way to get the Academy's name out there to students, and it's a good way to get our name out and get a lot of information to elementary and middle school kids quickly," he said.

Along with providing homework help, the cadets explained Academy admissions procedures and urged viewers to apply to the Academy as early as possible.

Evans enjoyed the opportunity to spread her interest in STEM by explaining robotics and 3D printing to viewers.

"The STEM Club is about making sure people get into the science and math (fields) because they're so important," she said. "The show is a good way to show how the Air Force uses science and technology, and help people see it's not as difficult as they might originally think."

Capt. Kyle Sanders, 557th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot and STEM Club official, accompanied the cadets to Pueblo.

"It's inspiring to see the impact the club has had locally - about 1,500 volunteer hours in just a just in the last semester," he said, adding the club is one of the Academy's largest. "When these cadets walk into a room full of kids, or when kids see them on television, the positive reaction is automatic. You can tell these kids really look up to them."

STEM Club cadets will help host Homework Hotline at least once a month this academic year.