“DoD STARBASE Holloman: New STEM Youth Outreach Program Set to Launch”
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has expanded its STEM initiative under the STARBASE banner, with Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo becoming the latest site for this impactful program, reports AlamogordoTownNews.org. The mission of STARBASE is to expose young students to advanced technological environments and provide positive civilian and military role models found on Active, Guard, and Reserve military bases. Through this program, youth are given 25 hours of engaging, hands-on instruction that meets or exceeds National Standards in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
The STARBASE program originated in Detroit, Michigan, as Project STARS in 1991. Initially designed to expose at-risk youth in grades 4-6 to science, technology, and mathematics through the physics of flight, the program was introduced at Selfridge Air National Guard Base under the leadership of Brig. Gen. David Arendts. Students experienced scientific concepts in real-world military settings, with National Guard personnel serving as role models, showcasing the use of STEM in their daily roles.
By 1993, Congress provided funding for the DoD STARBASE program, piloting it in seven states. Today, STARBASE has grown significantly, with locations across the United States and its territories. In response to the growing demand for STEM programs, the DoD introduced STARBASE 2.0, an after-school mentoring initiative for middle school students, launched in 2010. This expansion emphasizes collaboration between military units, STARBASE Academies, school districts, and local communities to nurture interest in STEM.
In December 2022, Holloman AFB was selected as the 82nd STARBASE site, with the program now on the brink of becoming a reality in 2024. Sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, STARBASE aims to inspire students by offering hands-on, experiential activities in STEM subjects. Students interact with military personnel, exploring careers and seeing STEM applications in real-life scenarios.
The program primarily focuses on fifth graders, targeting those historically underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students from inner cities, rural areas, socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, those with low academic performance, and students with disabilities. Through inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences, STARBASE encourages students to explore STEM and set educational goals.
The curriculum is engaging and varied, covering topics like Newton’s Laws, Bernoulli’s principle, robotics, and engineering. Students design space stations, all-terrain vehicles, and submersibles using computer technology. Math skills such as metric measurement, geometry, estimation, calculation, and data analysis are embedded throughout the program. Emphasizing teamwork, students work together to explore, explain, and evaluate STEM concepts.
Military personnel play a crucial role, volunteering to share how abstract STEM principles are applied in real-world situations. This experience can range from discussing how chemical fires are extinguished to exploring the cockpit of an F-18 or the interior of a submarine. The varied military settings provide unique insights into STEM careers and applications.
The STARBASE program collaborates with school districts to align with educational standards. As one teacher remarked, “STARBASE teaches science and math in ways that we wish we had the time, resources, and expertise to do in the regular classroom. It’s experiential, exploratory learning with a direct tie to the Standards.”
By bringing STARBASE to Holloman AFB, Alamogordo students will now have an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in STEM learning, guided by military and civilian mentors, and inspired to pursue future educational opportunities in these critical fields.
