Starbase

http://www.starbasedod.com/

Goals for Starbase Portland:

· Move into a larger building to bring our classes under one roof—school year 2011-2012

· Make Starbase Portland a demonstration site for use of alternative energy:

- Solar panels with demonstration station showing visible energy production and savings

- Wind turbines with demonstration station showing visible energy production and savings

- Sustainable practices: low flow faucets, insulation, and drinking fountain to avoid bottled water...

· Partner with community, business, government, industry, and local school districts to establish positive rapport and provide STEM career models, mentors, and alternative energy consultants

· Resurrect non-profit Starbase PDX as advisory for local initiatives

· Work with local STEM organizations that target high school and college students to increase the number of STEM graduates

· Begin a middle school mentorship—Fall 2012

· Work with local teacher education programs to bring student teachers to Starbase for a STEM practicum

· Provide a summer program for military families—Summer 2012

· Interview past graduates about their memories of Starbase and whether Starbase influenced their college or career choices—Winter 2011-12

DoD Starbase is an education program for 5th-8th graders sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. At DoD Starbase students participate in challenging “hands-on, minds-on” activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

DoD Starbase 2.0 STEM initiative will pair middle school students with a STEM mentor for a 20 hour after school program at their schools. These teams will carry out more in-depth investigations or design with any of the equipment to which they were introduced in 5th grade, such as robotics, rocketry, GPS, or Computer Aided Drafting (CAD).

Fifth graders attend 25-hour/5-day, hands-on instruction of STEM curriculum. Last year Portland hosted 37 classes (approximately 1300 students) and Klamath hosted 28 classes (approximately 900). Portland employs 3 teachers and 3 educational assistants; Klamath employs 3 teachers. Portland and Klamath Starbases together receive almost $650,000 each year from the Department of Defense.

Contact information

Starbase Portland, Director: Jere Fitterman

jfitter@pps.net

504-916-5404 ex 71061

503-504-9808

Starbase Klamath, Director: Marsha S. Beardslee

marsha.beardslee@gmail.com

Vision: To raise the interest and improve the knowledge and skills of traditionally under represented youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, who can become a growing part of a highly educated and skilled American workforce that can meet the advance technological requirements of our nation.

Starbase

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