About STARBASE Florida
STARBASE Florida
STARBASE Florida is a Department of Defense educational program that immerses at-risk youth from Duval County Public Schools in an engaging Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) environment. Since 1994 classes have been taught at the Florida Air National Guard 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Florida.
The program provides students with 25 hours of stimulating experiences which include challenging “hands-on, minds-on” activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). They interact with military personnel to explore careers and observe STEM applications in the “real world.”
The 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. STARBASE serves students that are historically underrepresented in STEM such as students who live in inner cities or rural locations, those who are sociology-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance, or have a disability.
The program encourages students to set goals and achieve them. Participation in the program is coordinated through the Florida Air National Guard Department of Military Affairs and the Duval County Public Schools Department of Science administration.
Florida National Guard
The Florida National Guard traces its heritage back to 1565, the year the Spanish founders of St. Augustine organized their first company of citizen-Soldiers. Florida’s militia has defended local communities for over 440 years. Consistent with Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Florida’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve in units from the Panhandle to the Keys.
Today, Florida Guardsmen are involved in hundreds of community service projects across the state each day. Many serve in disaster relief operations, helping residents recover from natural disasters. Others train or serve in critical national defense positions throughout the nation and overseas deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan supporting operations in the war on terrorism.