peach state starbase
The Georgia Department of Defense’s Peach State STARBASE programs seek to raise the interest and ability of at-risk elementary and middle school-age youth in selected science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. These on-campus and field programs expose students and their teachers to real world applications of STEM disciplines through experiential learning, simulations, and application exercises, primarily centered on principles of aerospace engineering design processes. The program also emphasizes real-world applications of group communications and cooperative learning skills, while providing a dynamic learning environment to help motivate the students to stay in and engage further with their own schools. Georgia’s STARBASE serves approximately 2,000 nine to 11-yearold fifth graders in 36 on-base academies annually, providing a fast paced, course of instruction spanning 25 contact hours and conducted over five consecutive school days that results in quantifiable improvement in student STEM testing scores. In addition, over 500 other 12 to 15-year-old middle graders participate in ongo-
ing year-long STARBASE programs established to date in four public middle schools. Pre and post-testing demonstrates the effectiveness of the STARBASE program, with a measured increase of 72 percent in grained and retained knowledge averaged over the past four years. Peach State STARBASE has graduated more than 14,000 students since first opening its doors in 2002. STARBASE works with public and private school teachers in the metro Atlanta area, providing both material support directly related to our programs, as well as consultation and logistical support of other STEM initiatives within the schools. Every June, STARBASE also offers a two-day Aerial Robotics Teacher Institute to participating middle school program teachers, other STARBASE location instructors, and other partners in the education community on operating and maintaining the small aerial drones used in the middle schools programs. While at STARBASE, students participate in challenging activities related to aviation and STEM careers, building on their classroom instruction. They interact with mili-
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tary personnel and see direct applications of their academic studies in real world situations at the Clay National Guard Center and Dobbins Air Reserve Base. This program provides students with stimulating instructional and inspirational experiences in cutting edge and emerging technologies, while simultaneously exposing them to the technological environments and positive role models found within the Georgia National Guard.
PeachStateStarbase
