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In 1989, Barbara Koscak a recognized leader in education, was invited to the White House by President Ronald Reagan and awarded the Federal Aviation Administration's National Educator of the Year Award. The President selected her because of her ability to excite her students to learn Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (STEM) and to develop their potential for challenging careers. Knowing that all children love airplanes, she had created a curriculum built around space and the physics of flight – a curriculum that was "hands-on, mind-on."

Taking her dream to the next level, she contacted Brigadier General David Arendts, who was the 127th Wing Commander at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. Together, they discussed the possibility of students seeing the application of classroom knowledge by observing the work of the men and women of the Air National Guard. They agreed that military personnel could explain and demonstrate the use of science, math, engineering and technology in their careers.  National Guard personnel would also be great role models who could reinforce the importance of education, teamwork, goal setting and self-discipline. General Arendts embraced the idea and lent his full support for the creation of the project.

Rico Racosky, an accomplished F-16 pilot and author, was working on a project to inspire students to achieve their dreams through taking action. General Arendts recognized that Racosky's ideas would be a perfect match for STARBASE and the model of "dreams plus action = Reality®" or "d + a = R®" became a critical component of the STARBASE curriculum.

Rick Simms, a local university student, and individuals at the Mount Clemens School District completed the team. Together they created an educational program that offered stimulating "hands-on, mind-on" activities focusing on science, math, technology, personal development, teamwork, and drug awareness and prevention.

 
In order to make the dream a reality, the team needed funding. In 1990, the Scott Crossfield Foundation awarded Koscak the prestigious A. Scott Crossfield Teacher of the Year Award. The award honors the famous pilot's personal heroes--teachers.  Koscak used the award money to fund a one-week pilot program. She bought supplies, rockets, and treats for the students of the pilot program called "Project STARS." Teachers around the area donated their time and talents to the summer program in 1990.

The team's next step was to apply for funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to offer a year-round program for students, as well as a one-week training for teachers. Project STARS was awarded a three-year grant on March 1, 1991. The response and results of the program were impressive.   In 1993, Congress allocated funds to expand the program to seven states.  This was a momentous occasion, launching the program into its expansion. The military and educational communities enthusiastically embraced the program, and by year's end, it grew from its original site at Selfridge to seven academies.  The program changed its name to DoD STARBASE. The dream of DoD STARBASE, to create a program that would respond to the needs of today's youth by providing stimulating, "hands-on, mind-on" science, technology, engineering and math, as well as motivational goal setting and self-esteem activities, is now a vibrant reality. Military volunteers continue as role models who donate their time to the program showing students how classroom concepts apply to "real world" situations.

To maintain the students' interest in STEM following their graduation from DoD STARBASE an after-school mentoring program, DoD STARBASE 2.0 was piloted in 2010.  Five academies initiated this relationship rich, structured mentoring program for middle school students.  The goal is to increase STEM interests and knowledge, school attachment, and career awareness. Mentors were
recruited from the military, academic and civilian communities.  Six additional sites added the mentoring program in FY '11.

In 2010, the curriculum was enriched and standardized. The rigorous, innovative curriculum no longer includes drug awareness and prevention, instead it places greater emphasis on engineering and technology. Students design space modules using professional engineering software and print their designs on a 3-D computer.  Innovations in technology exposes students to nanotechnology; as well as navigation and map reading with "Top Secret Mission" activities. The curriculum continues its "Wow" factor engaging students in scientific experiments, role-play, and simulations of real-world activities.

After 18 years of success, the DoD STARBASE dream has blossomed from a single classroom to classrooms in five regions of the country, in 34 states, the District of Columbia,  Indian Reservations, and U.S. Territories. To date, the program has provided 20-25 hours of stimulating experiences at military bases for over 600,000 students. National Guard, Navy, Marine, Air Force Reserve and Air Force bases are home to the program. This rapid growth truly affirms the children of America have a need and that DoD STARBASE  meets that need.

 DoD STARBASE…making tomorrow happen today!

DoD STARBASE focuses on elementary students, primarily fifth graders. The goal is to motivate them to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as they continue their education. The academies serve students that are historically under-represented in STEM.  Students who live in inner cities or rural locations, those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance or have a disability are in the target group. The program encourages students to set goals and achieve them.

The program engages students through the inquiry-based curriculum with its "hands-on, mind-on" experiential activities.  They study Newton's Laws and Bernoulli's principle; explore nanotechnology, navigation and mapping. They are captivated by engineering as they use the computer to design space stations, all-terrain vehicles, and submersibles.  Math is embedded throughout the curriculum and students use metric measurement, estimation, calculation geometry and data analysis to solve questions.  Teamwork is stressed as they work together to explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate concepts.

The military volunteers apply abstract principles  to real world situations by leading tours and giving lectures  on the use of STEM in different settings and careers.  Since the academies are located in different branches of the military this experience is highly varied.  Students may discuss how chemical fires are extinguished, learn how injured are transported, explore the cockpit of an F-18 or the interior of a submarine.

The academies work with school districts to support their standards of learning objectives.  A teacher whose class attended  DoD STARBASE stated, "STARBASE teaches science and math in ways that we wish we had the time, resources and expertise to do in the regular classroom.  It's experiential, exploratory learning with a direct tie to the standards."

DoD STARBASE is a world leader in introducing the latest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum to elementary students. The inquiry based curriculum,  engages students in exciting "hands-on, mind-on" experiments and technology activities.  

A. Physics (3.5 hours):

1. Newton's Laws of Motion
2. Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics

B. Chemistry (3.5 hours):

1. Building Blocks of Matter
2. Physical and Chemical Changes
3. Atmospheric Properties

C. Technology (4.0 hours):

1. Innovations
2. Navigation and Mapping

D. Engineering (4.0 hours):

1. Engineering and Design Process
2. 3-D Computer Aided Design

E. Mathematics Operations and Applications (2.0 hours):

1. Numbers and Number Relationships
2. Measurement
3. Geometry
4. Data Analysis

F. STEM Careers (1.5 hours):

1. STEM Careers on Military Facilities
2. Personal Investigations
   

DoD STARBASE is a premier educational program, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.  At DoD STARBASE students participate in  challenging "hands-on, mind-on" activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). They interact with military personnel to explore careers and observe STEM  applications in the "real world."  The program provides students with 20-25 hours of stimulating experiences at National Guard, Navy, Marine, Air Force Reserve and Air Force bases across the nation.

Vision Statement

To raise the interest and improve the knowledge and skills of at-risk youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, which will provide for a highly educated and skilled American workforce that can meet the advanced technological requirements of the Department of Defense.

Mission Statement

By exposing youth to the technological environments and positive role models found on military bases and installations, we will provide 20-25 hours of exemplary instruction, using a common core curriculum that meets or exceeds the national standards.  We will nurture a winning network of collaborators and build mutual loyalty.