Spots remain available for this summer’s Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Engineering Technology Academy (E-Tech), set for June 26 through July 2 on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville.

Lt. Col. Robert Gilbert, the activity director, said the academy has extended its application deadline to May 31 in hopes that additional cadets will take advantage of the unique educational experience.

Gilbert said cadets will stay in MTSU residence halls and attend classes taught by university faculty members from Aerospace, Engineering Technology, Physics and Astronomy, Data Science and Mechatronics. The academy also features leadership activities from MTSU’s Army ROTC program, as well as a seminar led by retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, the university’s senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives.

This year is set to be the fourth time MTSU has hosted the academy. It was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. MTSU and CAP have been partners in aerospace education for cadets since 2014.

“This will be a unique, hands-on set of experiences across a broad range of science and technology fields — and we’re excited about resuming this activity,” Gilbert said. “We’ve worked well with our partners at MTSU to develop another great curriculum for this academy.”

Participants must be Civil Air Patrol cadets, at least 15 years old and have completed a week-long encampment activity before being eligible. The $395 cost for the week-long event includes housing and dining on campus, as well as other activities. Go to www.ncsas.com for the link to apply for the academy through CAP’s eServices Registration and Payment System.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee credits Greg Van Patten, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, for encouraging his faculty to engage with the cadets of the U.S. Air Force volunteer civilian auxiliary.

“Having these CAP cadets on campus is a win-win relationship as they develop a clearer picture of their academic and career interests while getting a taste of the high quality programs offered by our university,” McPhee said.

MTSU’s close ties with CAP stretch back to July 1948, the year CAP’s Middle Tennessee State College Squadron was organized; MTSU’s Department of Aerospace was six years old at the time. Based at the old College Airport, the squadron comprised pilots trained on campus and was recognized for its search-and-rescue work. It operated on campus until 1953.