It appears you need to get the latest version of Flash player. You can download it here

by Bill Hancock, 88 ABW Affairs

A rambunctious group of fifth-graders sat on the floor in the Prairie's gymnasium May 20, anxiously awaiting the proclamation designating on of them as "STAR Dude."

Dunquan Hines, a fifth-grade student at Valley Forge Elementary in Dayton, received the honor of being named "STAR Dude," a moniker bestowed upon the 10,000th student to have passed through the STARBASE program.  The young man was presented with gifts to commemorate the occasion, and when asked  what areas of the program he most enjoyed, "flying" was his quiet response.

STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that serves young people in communities across the country by offering students an opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences designed to increase interest in and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"Our first class of STARBASE students will be seniors next year.  We opened our doors in 2004 and it's hard to believe 10,000 students have passed through since," said Connie Jensen, STARBASE site director."We are excited about reaching out to some of our past students and seeing just how our program may have influenced their current relations with STEM fields."

The STARBASE program uses hands-on learning experiences while emphasizing teamwork, believing this approach provides children with a strong motivation to learn. Some of the STARBASE activities include flight simulation, water rockets, learning Bernoulli's Principle, visiting the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and more. STARBASE is offered to fifth-grade students attending local Miami Valley schools.  There is no cost to attend.  The program is sponsored by the Wright-Patterson Education Outreach Office and the Universal Technology Corp.  "This is our first year in the program," Said Kevin Cornell, Valley Forge Elementary principal, "Gauging from how excited our students are from participating this year, we'll certainly be back next year."