STARBASE Program

STARBASE serves students and teachers by providing exciting hands-on learning experiences combining personal development, teambuilding and hands-on enrichment in science, math, and technology. Our Vision is to teach students strategies needed to achieve their dreams and become responsible members of society.

Overview

starbase program seal STARBASE, a program for youth ages 6 through 18, is aimed at improving math and science skills. The program starts at the elementary school level in order to attract and prepare students at an early age for careers in engineering and other science-related fields of study.

The program principally exposes at-risk children and their teachers to real world applications of math and science through experiential learning, simulations, and experiments in aviation and space-related fields. The program also addresses drug use prevention, health, self esteem and life skills within a math- and science-based program.

Participating States: STARBASE states are Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

School Selection: Schools with a high proportion of economically and educationally disadvantaged students apply and are selected by state and local selection committees.

Personnel and Support Services: Programs are staffed by federally reimbursed state employees or contract personnel.

Goals

Through hands-on learning, students improve their math, science, and technology-related skills. Support system and extended-care networks are also provided for students as the program tracks their improvement in the curriculum areas. Parents are encouraged to become positively involved in their children´s learning process.
  • Establish productive partnerships with schools and educators to students achieve educational standards.
  • Build personal development skills in youth through improved teamwork, goal setting, self-esteem, decision-making and problem solving.
  • Strengthen the ability of youth to make healthy choices and resist negative influences.
  • Increase student interest in and knowledge in science, math, and technology.
  • Encourage female involvement in science, math, and technology.
  • Provide effective training courses that give teachers the knowledge and resources they need to implement successful curriculum enhancements at school.

Impact

An independent evaluation of STARBASE conducted by Social consultants International Inc. concluded that:
  • "Students are exposed to highly sophisticated technology which become meaningful in the exciting, hands-on, real-life base setting. Through their exposure, they learned firsthand the application of physics, computers and mathematics to the world around them."
  • Instructors "helped the students build strong self-esteem, confidence, and provided the inspiration for them to believe that they too could identify and achieve personal goals through positive action."
  • Attitudes about science and math changed as a result of participation, with many more students reporting they liked science and math."
  • "Children who attended showed excellent retention and program teaching points."

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