Right now there are only two classrooms, but the newly opened STARBASE education center is already working on expanding its campus.
Right now there are only two classrooms, but the newly opened STARBASE education center is already working on expanding its campus.
The program is part of the Department of Defense’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) progam. The educational program is sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and it supports elementary students in furthering their education in the STEM subjects.
The new STARBASE campus opened on the Joint Forces Training Base, just across from the Sunburst Youth Academy, which helps high school students on the verge of failing out of school to graduate. The STARBASE Academy is also aimed at at-risk students, but is geared for fifth graders, in hopes of assisting them in being better prepared for middle school.
“Part of our mission then is to give back to those communities and one way that we do that is through our tremendous youth programs,” CNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin said.
The STARBASE program brings in students for five days of education, with different schools arranging their five days however is most convenient for them. The school focuses on fifth graders at Title I under-privileged schools, but is looking to bring in other schools, as well as groups of home-schooled children.
Officials estimate that the JFTB facility will serve approximately 4,000 students per year. The program was in jeopardy because of budget cuts, but California State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez stepped in with a bill that helped provide funding for the program and the new campus.
Perez was on hand for the ceremonial ribbon cutting on May 22, as were students from his elementary alma mater, Bushnell Way Elementary in Los Angeles. Students from Bushnell were the first official class to attend the academy. Education should be a priority for California, Perez said, noting that it was what made the state a global economic power and will be the key in getting the state out of the recession.
“We owe it to our students to make certain that they have all that is required to have the best start in life,” Perez said.
The academy is still very basic in terms of buildings and facilities, but has plans in the works for a surface of Mars decorated room and a 3D printer that will allow students to design and make objects out of plastic. The ground has also been broken for a third classroom as well as an outdoor area for a lunch area and basketball court.
What the school does have already are students and some new advancements that are already piquing interest. One program is called Turning Point technology, which allows students to take tests by inputting their answers on a small keypad. The answers are immediately tabulated and displayed on screen with the names of students who had the right answer. It was already a hit with the first class to attend the academy.
“You have never seen a kid ask to take so many tests,” Lead Teacher Cynthia McGraa said.
The Los Alamitos campus will be under the direction of Warrant Officer Candidate Stacey Hendrickson. For more information on STARBASE and STEM at Los Alamitos call 562-235-2890 or e-mail to starbaselosalamitos@gmail.com.