Photo By Cpl. R. J. Driver | Michelle Kirk, an instructor at Starbase, shows her students how to assemble their...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Despite what the average citizen may think about the school system in the United States, America has steadily declined in mathematical and scientific literacy since 2005.
According to www.NationMaster.com, a site dedicated to educational statistics worldwide, the U.S. sits in the mid-to lower percentile in all mathematical and scientific categories. To correct that, the Department of Education has begun putting an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as the STEM Program.
The Starbase program aboard the Air Station helps fight against scientific and mathematical deficiencies in Fightertown’s own backyard by incorporating the foundation of the STEM program.
According to www.starbasebeaufort.com, Starbase is a national, congressionally funded program designed to offer children in the military and local community a unique hands-on program that emphasizes math, science, and technology.
The program uses a revamped curriculum to educate fourth and fifth-graders in math, science and technology subjects they would not have learned about until later in their education.
“An emphasis is being placed on learning to read at a young age and reading to learn at an older age. Therefore, children are not getting the science, math and technology foundation they should be getting,” said Savannah French, the deputy director and lead instructor at Starbase.
Starbase works with different schools throughout the surrounding counties, educating one class at a time.
“Every week, we teach a new batch of students the importance of science and engineering,” said Michelle Kirk, an instructor at Starbase. “With each new class come unique challenges.”
Not every class arrives at Starbase with the same level of education so instructors have to alter their teaching methods to each class.
Along with learning the Starbase curriculum, the children also learn life lessons.
“We want each child to know the importance of setting goals,” French explained. “We emphasize dreams plus action equal reality. It all starts with a dream, they put forth the effort, and it becomes a reality.”
A combination of instilling life lessons and a strong science and math foundation is what makes Starbase a success across the nation and changes the country’s future for the better.
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2010 15:41 |
| Story ID: | 59430 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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