Local youths take off with STARBASE

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Summer vacation does not mean it is time to sit in front of the TV and turn into a couch potato - in fact, for students participating in the Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration program it means a week-long immersion into science and math studies.

Through STARBASE, students going into the fifth grade will visit the base each day to learn about topics ranging from compass reading to tools used for weather prediction and will witness the laws of motion in action from June 21-25.

The Michigan Air National Guard and a local teacher, Barbara Koscak, launched STARBASE in 1989. Seymour Johnson AFB became the first active-duty base to adopt the program after a group of local teachers approached the education office about it 19 years ago.

"Every kid who has participated in the program loved it," said Janie Best, 4th Force Support Squadron Force Development chief. "They learned so much and had so much fun. We've even had some former STARBASE kids go on to the Air Force Academy. Many are doing great things now and we like to take some of the credit for that."

The 60 students selected to participate in the program spend their mornings in a classroom learning Bernoulli's principles of flight and Newton's laws of motion. In the afternoon, they see the topics they learned about applied to real-world scenarios.

"We always have a waiting list," said Mrs. Best, the base STARBASE liaison. "Most of our students are signed up because their parents have heard of the program and want them to participate. Several parents have told me their child was hesitant to participate, but I convinced them that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they would love it."

Mrs. Best feels the program has been so successful because the children have fun while they are learning.

"The kids get to interact with military personnel who they already look up to as their heroes," Mrs. Best said. "Local kids get to do and see things on base that they normally wouldn't get to participate in."

This is the first time Capt. Michael Jokhy, 333rd Fighter Squadron A-Flight commander, has participated in the STARBASE program.

"I have always wanted to fly fighters my whole life," he said. "As a child I was interested in everything aviation. This is my opportunity to pass down the fly, fight and win spirit."

As an aircrew member, math and science were an important part of Captain Jokhy's education and military training.

"Things happen fast in the jet, so there is no time for calculators and textbooks," he said. "Aircrews need to be able to execute basic mathematical skills quickly and under pressure."

Running the STARBASE program; however, is not all fun and games; it takes a great deal of coordination across the base.

"The support of the base is phenomenal," Mrs. Best said. "It takes a lot of volunteers from across this base to make this happen every summer."

The program ends with a rocket launch and graduation ceremony June 25.