Area youth fly high with STARBASE

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aubrey White
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  After spending a week immersed in the technical and flashy sides of math and science, a group of rising fifth grade students became the 22nd class to graduate the base's Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration (STARBASE) Program here, June 21, 2013.

The students spent their mornings in a classroom studying topics like Bernoulli's Principles of Flight and Newton's Laws of Motion. In the afternoon, they traveled to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to see the topics they learned put into action.

"The program is successful, because it's structured and crammed full of activities, yet fun," said Janie Best, 4th Force Support Squadron Force Development chief. "Students do so many hands-on activities that they do not have time to get bored. The classroom learning is much more effective when the students are able to see the principles they've studied applied to the day-to-day operations of Team Seymour."

Several members of Team Seymour hosted STARBASE students in their duty sections which allowed them to learn about how Airmen and Department of Defense civilians use math and science to fulfill the Air Force mission.

"The students were really excited for the opportunity to experience some of what we do every day," said Capt. Laura Dawson, 336th Fighter Squadron weapon systems officer (WSO). "Capt. Thomas Larner [336th FS WSO] and I enjoyed spending the week with them touring the base and helping [the children] in the classroom. To be able to help introduce these students to another side of math and science, that most children their age don't get to see, was worthwhile and I look forward to supporting STARBASE again next year."

The enrollment period for STARBASE runs from February to March; however, STARBASE directors maintain a waiting list from year to year. Best, the base's program recruiter, can assist those interested in placing their child on the waiting list. For more information, contact her at (919) 722-5810.