Teachers: always needed

U.S. Air Force Capt. Mike Matthews, an instructor pilot at the 93rd Bomb Squadron’s Formal Training Unit, explains the war-time capabilities of a B-52 Startofortress to a group of local 5th grade students during a static tour at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 2, 2012. Matthews was assisted by 1st Lt. Brian Knutson, who is a student at the FTU. Both officers are assigned to the 11th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale. The students are attending STARBASE Louisiana, at Barksdale, one of 70 national STARBASE sites. It is sponsored by the 307th Bomb Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command. The program presents an exciting 25-hour hands-on minds-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum to area 5th grade students and their teachers. STARBASE Louisiana creates an environment to actively engage students in STEM exploration to excite their interest, develop a solid concept base, and encourage them to pursue these areas in future studies. Approximately 35 students from Carrie Martin Elementary in Bossier Parish took part in the static tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston)