Official Government Website
What is DoD STARBASE Idaho?
DoD STARBASE has been enriching student lives for 30 years across the country. In 2018, our program opened its doors to students across the Treasure Valley. The DoD STARBASE Idaho program is sponsored and supported by the Idaho National Guard and funded by the Department of Defense.
DoD STARBASE is an innovative hands-on, minds-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) enrichment program for 5th grade students from Title I funded schools.
DoD STARBASE uses an inquiry based curriculum in 5 core areas: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and STEM careers.
DoD STARBASE students learn across a multitude of disciplines. While attending DoD STARBASE Idaho students experiment with Newton’s laws of motion, robotics, computer designing, atomic structure, navigation and mapping, and much more.
DoD STARBASE coordinates with local school districts to provide hands-on instruction and activities that meet or exceed National Standards, with priority to Title 1 schools and students that are historically underrepresented in STEM. DoD STARBASE Idaho’s curriculum aligns with both State and National Standards. More information can be found under the “Standards Alignment” tab.
Where is STARBASE Idaho?
DoD STARBASE is currently operating on 70 military facilities around the United States and its territories.
DoD STARBASE Idaho is located at Gowen Field, where its Grand Opening was held in August of 2018.
DoD STARBASE Idaho also serves 3 schools with its 2.0 program, which continues students’ STEM journeys into 6th grade by providing a STEM-based afterschool club at the host site. DoD STARBASE Idaho 2.0 programs are currently running in the Boise and Middleton School Districts. For more information about each club, please visit the “Programs” tab and select “STARBASE 2.0 Afterschool Programs.”
Why is STARBASE Idaho so important?
DoD STARBASE offers a positive, proven approach to engendering excitement and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This knowledge is important to our nation’s future because:
- Idaho is a fast-growing state in terms of technology; STARBASE Idaho will increase the number of capable employees for a sustainable workforce and economy to keep Idaho growing with technological industries.
- During this decade, employment in science and engineering occupations is expected to increase at almost four times the rate for all other occupations.
- In 2015, just 40% of U.S. 4th graders were rated at or above proficient in a national mathematics assessment (NAEP, and more than 1 in 10 scored below the basic level.
- Only 42% of U.S. high school graduates in 2015 met the ACT College Readiness Benchmark in mathematics and 36% in science.
- The rapid pace of technological change, and globalization of the economy, simply demands that our workforce be literate in science and math.
- STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17% from 2006 to 2018, compared to 9.8% growth for non-STEM occupations.
- An over-reliance on the math and science talent of foreign students represents a major potential weakness in the future competitiveness and vitality of the U.S. economy and workforce.
- Students who attend DoD STARBASE Academies increase their knowledge and skills in STEM.
- Students who attend DoD STARBASE improve their attitudes about and their confidence in STEM.
- DoD STARBASE Idaho can positively impact approximately 2,250 fifth grade students with 25 hours of STEM instruction and activities each year.
How often do students attend?
DoD STARBASE Idaho began instruction on 24 April, 2018, with 2 classes per day/4 days per week, and now serves 3 classes per day/5 days per week.
Students attend one full day per week for five consecutive weeks for a total of 25 hours. Fifth grade students travel to Gowen Field to study and learn in a varied and exciting environment, exploring the STEM sciences in ways not typically found in the traditional school setting.
What do Students learn at DoD STARBASE Idaho?
DoD STARBASE students learn across a multitude of disciplines. While attending DoD STARBASE Idaho students experiment with Newton’s laws of motion, robotics, computer designing, atomic structure, navigation and mapping, and much more.
The curriculum consists of five core content areas established by the Department of Defense with classroom instruction in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and STEM careers. For more information about DoD STARBASE activities, please visit our “Lesson Summaries” found in “Teacher Resources.”