Children learn science, Air Force history

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Hurley
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Students had the opportunity to learn scientific principles through hands-on experiments while learning about Air Force history as part of the STARBASE program conducted at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Feb. 11.

Students from the Kadoka school district travelled more than 100 miles to visit the museum. The field trip was made possible by STARBASE, a Department of Defense program which sponsors educational programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for fifth-grade students.

Once the students have completed 20 to 25 hours in STEM, they are able to "graduate" from their primary training and participate with teachers and parents in educational field trips to military installations across the nation.

"Our hope is to revive and bolster interest among American children about science, mathematics, engineering and aviation," said Carl Engwall, South Dakota Air and Space Museum curator. "As the next generation of scientific innovators, we hope to encourage them and instill in them the confidence and knowledge to be America's newest inventors. This is also a great opportunity for Ellsworth to link up with the local community and impart Air Force wisdom, knowledge and encourage scientific achievement."

By inviting students to learn about the military's contributions to technology, aviation and science, the DoD is offering children from disadvantaged backgrounds an insider's look into future careers as well as providing them with positive role models.

"We have given several STARBASE instructional tours for Native American reservation schools and small country schools," he said. "It's encouraging to hear positive feedback from the students about how cool the Air Force is, and how much they would like to join the military and become engineers when they grow up."

The students' visit to the museum includes time for hands-on science projects, lessons and demonstrations of Bernoulli's Principle of Aviation to explain how increased velocity and decreased pressure creates lift, a tour of the many exhibits at the museum and lunch.

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum supports STARBASE by offering instruction to approximately 200 children during nine tours every six weeks.

One of Kadoka's STARBASE instructors, Jolene Kayser, said she enjoys coming to the museum to view the exhibits with the children while helping them to learn about science and the military.

Mrs. Kayser, a second lieutenant in the South Dakota Army National Guard assigned as a an intelligence officer with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Company of the 139th Brigade Support Batallion in Brookings, S.D., has been part of the STARBASE field team since July 2010.

"I've been interested in math and science since middle school and I think this is a great opportunity for fifth grade students to gain some knowledge of the military and meet some of its servicemembers," she said.

Some experiments the children conduct help them to understand practical applications, such as how to heat up Meals Ready to Eat (specially packaged food items for servicemembers in combat or field conditions).

"Math and science go hand-in-hand in helping students learn how things in the universe work, such as how the B-1B Lancer flies," Mrs. Kayser said. "Once they understand math, science begins to make sense for them and once they get science down, they begin to enjoy school and the learning process as it applies to all subject areas."

STARBASE participants are determined by each student's needs. Those from small, rural schools and Native American reservations who could greatly benefit from the opportunities the program provides are among the highest priority for the STARBASE program.

"STARBASE gives students a chance," Mrs. Kayser said. "The fun they have with science will hopefully nurture their drive to do well in school and inspire them to continue their education. The ongoing objective of STARBASE is to prepare students for success as they mature into productive members of society."

For more information, children can contact their school administrators or Sarah Jensen, STARBASE area director at (605) 737-6083.