Science--Technology Engineering--Mathematics.

• Position: STEM News

Are you concerned about the declining rate of STEM graduates in the U.S.? Are you concerned enough to do something about it? Have you heard about the Defense Department's Starbase program?

Starbase is funded and supported by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs. At Starbase, students participate in exciting, hands-on activities in aviation and space exploration, and interact with military personnel to explore careers and make connections with the "real world." In addition to learning critical skills in math, science and technology, students learn about teamwork, goal setting and the importance of staying off drugs.

The first students arrived in the fall of 1992. Since then, the program has served over 350,000 students and has grown to 54 academies operating on military installations in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Particular emphasis is placed on the 5th grade and on classes that have students who are historically under-represented in math, science, engineering and technology; living in inner cities or rural locations...