About the program
What is STARBASE?
A Civil-Military Youth Program
STARBASE is a premier educational program, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. At STARBASE students participate in challenging “hands-on, minds-on” activities in Science, Technology, Engineering & Design, and Mathematics (STEM). They interact with military personnel to explore careers and observe STEM applications in the “real world.” STARBASE’s primary focus is the program for fifth graders. The goal is to motivate them to explore STEM opportunities as they continue their education, and the program encourages students to set goals and achieve them. Area school districts and home school groups bring their 5th grade students to Vandenberg STARBASE Academy for 25 hours over a 5-day period of inquiry-based, “hands-on, minds-on” experiential activities that meet or exceed the national standards and supplement each district’s existing curriculum. Vandenberg STARBASE Academy’s primary goal is to serve students who are historically under-represented in STEM, including students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance, or have a disability.
To expose our nation’s youth to the technological environments and positive civilian and military role models found on Active, Guard, and Reserve military bases and installations, nurture a winning network of collaborators, and build mutual loyalty within our communities, by providing 25 hours of exemplary hands-on STEM instruction and activities that meet or exceed the national standards.
The curriculum
Science
Science fundamentals, characteristic properties, motion & force, and science explorations: hands-on experiments in chemistry, physics and rocketry.
Science
Science fundamentals, characteristic properties, motion & force, and science explorations: hands-on experiments in chemistry, physics and rocketry.
Technology
Applying technology: students put the tools scientists and engineers rely on to work, from programming robots to collecting and graphing data.
Technology
Applying technology: students put the tools scientists and engineers rely on to work, from programming robots to collecting and graphing data.
Engineering & Design
The Engineering Design Process: students plan, build, test and redesign their own solutions to real challenges, from bridges to rockets.
Engineering & Design
The Engineering Design Process: students plan, build, test and redesign their own solutions to real challenges, from bridges to rockets.
3-D Computer-Aided Design
Students design in 3-D with computer-aided design (CAD) software, the same kind of tools engineers use to build real hardware.
3-D Computer-Aided Design
Students design in 3-D with computer-aided design (CAD) software, the same kind of tools engineers use to build real hardware.
Mathematics
Mathematics operations and applications: number relationships, measurement, geometry and data analysis, put to work in every experiment and design challenge.
Mathematics
Mathematics operations and applications: number relationships, measurement, geometry and data analysis, put to work in every experiment and design challenge.
STEM Careers
STEM careers on military facilities: students meet positive civilian and military role models, see STEM at work on Vandenberg, and carry out personal investigations.
STEM Careers
STEM careers on military facilities: students meet positive civilian and military role models, see STEM at work on Vandenberg, and carry out personal investigations.