Starbase Victory - Starbase

Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration

The STARBASE program was created in 1989 by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. The first site was at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.
STARBASE has developed into an innovative program nationwide that addresses three critical problems facing America's youth today: poor preparation in math and science, lack of personal direction and drug abuse.
Program Description:
1. Principally fifth and sixth grade students (the teachers attend as well)
2. Classes must have >65% of students in the Title 1 (subsidized lunch) program and/or >50% ethnic minority students
3. 5 day program ... one day a week for five weeks
4. Curriculum emphasizes "hands on" (experiential) learning using an aviation-based curriculum that is designed to meet state math and science SOLs
5. Subjects taught go beyond math and science to include: Goal Setting, Teamwork, Introduction to Computers and Report Writing
6. There are guest speakers, tours of Navy facilities and each student launches their own rocket!
7. The students wear a TShirt "uniform", make a name for themselves (every student gets a callsign) and inevitably they "experience" the joy of learning.
8. Over 1200 students a year from the Portsmouth Public School System graduate from STARBASE
9. Annual cost of the program is $60,000 from donations, although additional "in kind" costs exceed $200,000
STARBASE-ATLANTIS has won several educational awards in Virginia:
1. 1996 Governor's Award for Partnership in Education
2. One of only 50 programs formally recognized during President Clinton's Summit in Volunteerism in 1997
3. Virginia Tech's 1997 Excellence in Education Award
Authorized under Title 10 U.S. Code 2193, today there are over 30 STARBASE programs operating throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. By law, only two programs per state may be funded by the Department of Defense. There is one federal program in Norfolk (begun in 1996). There is only one privately funded program in the country: STARBASE-ATLANTIS of Hampton Roads, serving Portsmouth since the spring of 2001.
STARBASE-ATLANTIS of Hampton Roads, Inc is a 501(C)(3) (nonprofit) organization incorporated in Virginia since 1999. Private funding, school system support and the use of facilities provided by the Navy generate tremendous value for the dollars spent.
The Portsmouth Public School System wholeheartedly supports and endorses STARBASE. The school system provides STARBASE with Internet connectivity, daily transportation for students to/from the program and two credentialed science teachers.