STARBASE program helps rising fifth graders soar

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Sixty local fifth grade students got a first-hand look at engineering, math and even some rocket science, while participating in the STARBASE education program June 16 to 20 here.

The children spent the first four days of the visit attending classes on the laws of motion and aerodynamics, and touring base facilities to apply their knowledge. They also witnessed demonstrations from different shops on base, including the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight's robot demonstration, the 4th Component Maintenance Squadron engine shop's F-15E engine run and a flight in the 4th Training Squadron's simulator. 

"Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was the first active-duty base to host the program," said Janie Best, 4th Force Support Squadron force development flight chief. "Since then, many other bases have asked for our assistance in setting up their own programs and it has spread throughout the Air Force." 

STARBASE, an education program that provides students with hands-on training in aviation, science, technology, engineering, math and space exploration, was created under the name "Project STARS" in 1991. Congress expanded the funding behind the program in 1993 and renamed it STARBASE. This was the 4th Fighter Wing's 17th STARBASE event since its inception. 

On the final day of STARBASE, the children went to Greenwood Middle School to launch rockets they constructed during their class time. All 60 rockets were successfully launched. 

"It's amazing to see how interested they are in everything from the control tower to the simulator, from the classroom activities to watching their rocket launch," said Capt. Nathan Creech, a pilot from the 334th Fighter Squadron who assisted with the STARBASE program. "The moment that showed me all our efforts were worthwhile occurred at Friday's activities. Of all the kids I helped, none had launched rockets before. They were all proud of the rockets they built and were very excited to set up. Every single child that launched a rocket ran as hard as they could to catch it as it came back down." 

Though the program is geared toward the enthusiasm of the children participating, the parents are just as appreciative. 

"My son participated in the program several years ago, and as a parent, I was grateful for the experience he received," Mrs. Best said. "Not only did he have fun, but he had a once in a lifetime experience of visiting many places on base that those of us who work here never get to see. It is an experience that he has never forgotten." 

But for Captain Creech, this program parallels the passion and teamwork that embodies the spirit of the 4th Fighter Wing and the U.S. Air Force. 

"It reminds me of how lucky I am to have the job that I do," Captain Creech said. "Working on a program like STARBASE also reminds me how much effort it takes by all the people on base to get a single jet off the ground. It takes the whole team to create airpower. I hope that by the end of the week, the kids start to pick up on that and realize that no matter what they do, if they work hard and enjoy it, they will be successful."