The Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation is a 501 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting aerospace education in the State of Delaware. DASEF educates students of all ages in the areas of math, science, technology, and aerospace through the use of academies, presentations, symposia, professional development, and the Innovation Technology Exploration Center .HistoryDASEF was founded in 1989 by its President and CEO Dr. Stephanie M.G. Wright. DASEF first began with Destination Orbit, and quickly expanded to its current 8 academies. Originally, Destinations Orbit, Moon, and Mars were named as Level I, II, and III respectively. In addition, Destinations Sky & Beyond and Space were half day academies.MissionThe DASEF mission is DASEF's programs are supported by many partners that include Delaware's institutions of higher learning, Delaware Space Grant Consortium, Delaware Air National Guard, Dover Air Force Base, Department of Transportation, Delaware Parks and Recreation, corporate sponsors, and the Civil Air Patrol.Innovation Technology Exploration CenterThe 40acre ITEC site in northern Kent County is located in Smyrna, Delaware, shared with Big Oak County Park. Construction began in 2003 in four phases. The Environmental Outpost was completed first. It hosts Mountjoy observatory, the second-largest telescope in the State of Delaware. Currently, the rest of ITEC is still under construction. The building is LEED certified through its implementation of solar panels and other energy efficient technologies. ITEC hosts the bi-annual Family Day for the public to enjoy.
