Starbase seeks volunteers to mentor students

Starbase Louisiana students from Cope Middle School test their paper boat prototypes in an engineering activity on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 16, 2012. The activity was aimed at increasing their understanding of the engineering design process as part of a curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math. (Photo provided by Starbase Louisiana)

Starbase seeks volunteers to mentor students

Starbase Louisiana students from Cope Middle School show off slot car designs they developed using computer-aided design software on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 9, 2013. Students were able to manufacture their own designs using 3D printing while learning about engineering. (Photo provided by Starbase Louisiana)

Starbase seeks volunteers to mentor students

Published Oct. 30, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airmen looking for volunteer opportunities will be able to mentor middle-school students at Starbase La. on base starting in Nov.

Starbase Louisiana needs mentors for students in fifth through eighth grade as they study science, technology, engineering and math.

"The mission of the Starbase program nationally is to increase the skills and knowledge of students so they can fill the need for STEM careers later in life," said Benjamin Williamson, Starbase Louisiana coordinator. "We partner with local schools and teachers to make sure we are enhancing what they do and they can build on what we do."

Volunteers are not required to have a background in science to be effective mentors.

"We don't have special requirements for volunteers other than the fact that they are willing to work with middle-school students and they have an interest in promoting STEM education," Williamson said. "Because we're expanding to work with three schools this year, we'll have about 100 students, so we would like at least 24 mentors. We can always find ways to incorporate more volunteers."

An orientation meeting for volunteers is scheduled for Nov. 4. After that, volunteers will only need to come to their assigned meeting times but won't be required to prepare lessons or teaching material.

"[Volunteers] just have to show up and work with the students and cultivate a relationship with those students as a role model throughout the year," said Williamson. "We're here to positively impact the lives of these kids."

By providing the best STEM education with diverse resources, mentorship and encouragement, middle-school students are being set up for their future success.

"They integrate science and math with hands-on activities," said Ruth Hill, a Cope Middle School eighth grade science teacher. "The Starbase program makes it fun for the kids and they get to see real-world applications and more importantly, they learn how it matters."

Volunteers who wish to register can contact their squadron first sergeant or Starbase Louisiana at 318-529-3521.