Discoveries
Nerd Squad
Places and Spaces
Show Me the Money
Science in Cinema
100

A 1967 AFOSR grant assisted Dr. Byron Knowles from Texas A&M University in developing a design for this low-cost system used for navigation.

What is the Global Positioning System?

100

The Air Force Research Laboratory supports these two services (branches) in the Department of the Air Force.

What are the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force

100

This is the common name of a highly classified United States Air Force facility within the Nevada Test and Training Range.

What is Area 51?

100

This STEM program is a scholarship (undergraduate, masters, doctoral students) for service opportunity supported by the Department of Defense.

What is the SMART Scholarship?

100

Steve Carell starred in this comedy series that shares the name of the newest military agency. 

What is Space Force?

200

AFOSR funded Dr. Douglas Engelbart for research on augmenting human intellect and the potential for computers to assist in complex decision-making processes which ultimately led to this computer accessory.

What is a mouse?

200

The Naval Research Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory have partnerships with this Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C.  to prevent bird strikes.

What is the National Museum of Natural History?

200

These islands in the Pacific Ocean are home to the Air Force Maui Optical Station.

What is Hawaii?

200

This tri-service program supports graduate students conducting research that aligns with the military research laboratories. 

What is the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Program?

200

AFOSR funded research which led to the development of this suit that allowed pilots to withstand the high G forces, similar to those seen in Top Gun Maverick.

What is a Flight Suit or anti-gravity suit?

300

The AFRL Information Directorate built the one of the fastest computers in the world using this gaming console.

What is the Playstation?

300

This is the military academy for the United States Air Force.

BONUS: It is located in this state.

What is USAFA?

BONUS: Colorado

300

This museum, located in Dayton Ohio, has a special exhibit celebrating the Department of the Air Force's 75th anniversary.

What is the National Museum of the United States Air Force?

300

The National Science Foundation manages this stipend-paid research experience for undergraduates.

What is the ASSURE Program?

300

Dr. Evil from the series Austin Powers describes sharks with lasers on their heads. While AFRL does not have sharks with lasers on their heads, S&Es do use lasers to guide these imaging instruments.

What is a telescope?

400

Innovators at Joint Base Andrews have created a new, cost-effective surgical retractor using this type of printing technology.

What is 3-D printing?

400

The name of the Army Research Lab's outreach program.

What is the Army Education Outreach Program?

400

The AFRL Scholars Internship Program is managed out of Kirtland Air Force Base which is located in this state.

Where is New Mexico?

400

This symposium is a national science fair where high school students compete for scholarships.

What is NJSHS?

400

In the cult-classic Predator, the alien creatures are able to move unseen due to this concept. :Hint: aircrafts use similar technology

What is stealth?
500

The number of Nobel Laureates supported by AFOSR.

70

500

The age of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

What is 70 years?
500

This technical directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory funds basic science research projects.

What is the Air Force Office of Scientific Research?

500

The Department of the Air Force Office of Civilian Personnel manages this federal employee program for recent graduates.

What is PALACE ACQUIRE or COPPER CAP?

500

In the 2018 movie Rampage, scientists use gene-editing technology to create a genetically engineered villain. While this technical directorate does not create super monsters, they are exploring bioengineering to enhance airmen/guardian performance.

What is the 711th Human Performance Wing?