After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Summer Program recently returned to the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Readiness Laboratory here. The month-long annual research program is an opportunity for second and third-year cadets to experience Air Force life and some of the responsibilities and challenges that await them after graduation. This year USAFA and AFCEC chose two project topics with cadets able to focus on one or work across both. The first project focused on developing a sampling methodology for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and finding potential solutions to naturally remove and break down the complex, synthetic chemicals in water. The second project explored using bacteria to treat runways and prevent erosion and dust.