STARBASE marks open house with ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Approximately 74 guests, including local civic leaders and military dignitaries celebrated the re-opening of the newly remodeled STARBASE Louisiana facility on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 18, 2010.

DoD STARBASE is a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program in nearly 60 locations in 34 states.

The first classes at STARBASE Louisiana were held in June 1999, and as of today, more than 11,000 students have graduated the program. According to STARBASE statistics, the average test scores of these students have improved by 134%.

The 917th Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command is a major sponsor of this program, which is an exciting 25-hour hands on/minds on aviation and aerospace curriculum to area 5th grade students and their teachers.

The DoD program is committed to addressing the critical needs in STEM education. STARBASE Louisiana introduces its students to exciting STEM education topics, inspiring these young minds to further explore these topics in future course work.

The guest speaker for the event was Sheila Schencke, a former STARBASE executive director, who spoke about the contributions made by the program to students and the contributions they will make in the future due to what they have and will learn at STARBASE.

Creating an exciting atmosphere about STEM education where our young people can learn is what will keep them learning, Schencke said.

The basics of STEM education are the tools that make all that possible, she said. Activity based learning engages their minds during learning. For example, researching a science problem enhances reading skills.

Many of the guests toured the facility and were treated to a few students explaining and demonstrating some of the things they have learned in the program.

Col. John J. Mooney III, commander of the 917th Wing, also took the opportunity to speak with several of the students who demonstrated for him things they have learned.

"I believe there is not a problem that can't be solved with education," Colonel Mooney said. "STARBASE has an excellent track record of providing great instruction and is a service we can provide the community that has given so much to us."

With the expansion and remodeling of the facility, the number of students who will be able to experience the learning techniques of STARBASE will increase from 1,400 per year to 2,000 a year.

For Sheila Schencke the expansion and increased class sizes means for a brighter future for all of us.

"I have found in my teaching career that many students underestimate what they can do. If they can learn physics in the 5th grade ... certainly they can in high school." Schencke said. "Students can make better choices for their future when they're educated choices. Jobs are available for people trained in STEMS."