STARBASE Louisiana doubles class size

Published Sept. 16, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Ebony Nichols
917th Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- STARBASE Louisiana, an Air Force Reserve Command-sponsored educational program for at-risk 5th and 6th graders, is expanding as a result of cooperation by several base organizations.

Use of the 917th Security Forces Squadron's satellite lecture room will allow the program to accommodate twice as many students, from 650 last year to 1,300 this year, said Kathy Brandon, STARBASE Louisiana executive director. Classes meet daily throughout the school year.

One of the goals of STARBASE is to reach more students and build more connections for outreach.

Another goal is to help students focus on taking positive steps to reach their goals and to motivate them to strive for excellence in science and math, said Ms. Brandon.

"We also hope that the innovative teaching environment found in STARBASE will serve as a model for other teachers in the field," she said.

Nearly all of the 5th-grade students in Bossier will attend on-site classes during the school year. Schools not participating this year will be allowed to rotate in next year.

The STARBASE expansion is a cooperative endeavor between the Department of Defense, STARBASE Louisiana, local schools and the Air Force Reserve's 917th Wing, said Ms. Brandon.

STARBASE provided the additional materials, management and coordination. The 917th Wing offered the lecture room. Bossier Parish added a full-time teacher to maintain program quality while serving additional students.

Ms. Penny Torrey, a 5th grade teacher from Curtis Elementary School, had reservations about bringing her students to STARBASE.

"Even after the (STARBASE) training, I was skeptical about STARBASE because I have special-needs students," said Ms. Torrey.

Since bringing her homeroom and secondary classes to STARBASE, Ms. Torrey and her students are excited about attending the training.

"The learning and retention is phenomenal," she said. "STARBASE even covers some of the grade level expectations that most teachers don't have time to cover throughout the school year."

Although all involved are excited about the expansion, it has not been without its challenges.

"The most difficult thing has been scheduling issues and sharing of the computer lab," said Ms. Brandon.

STARBASE is in the process of setting up a mobile computer lab, with the help of the 917th Mission Support Group, that will alleviate the scheduling problem.

The program also faces having its staff and materials spread in two locations.

"So far, we have been able to work effectively through issues as they've arisen," said Ms. Brandon.

STARBASE Louisiana seeks participation by wing members as well.

"We need volunteers in a variety of capacities," Ms. Brandon said.

Career mentors are volunteers in military and civilian career fields who can talk about their careers with the class during daily "business lunches."

With twice as many classes, STARBASE will need twice as many volunteers.

"We have many materials that must be prepped for each class," Ms. Brandon said. "Those who wish to help out an hour or two here and there can help in materials preparation." (AFRC News Service)