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NAVY HELPS KIDS SHOOT FOR THE STARS
By Bill McLaughlin
Ocean County elementary school students will be the first in New Jersey to participate in the U.S. Navy's newest community initiative, the Starbase program.
The program's goal is to encourage fifth grade students to combine their interest in space and aeronautics with advanced instruction, both in the classroom and by hands-on experience in math and science.
The idea has been met "with lots of enthusiasm among students and staff," Ocean County Superintendent of Schools Bruce Greenfield told the County Board of Chosen Freeholders at the pre-board meeting Wednesday.
"It will move science, technology and mathematics (education) forward," he said.
Greenfield introduced Captain Phil Beachy, the commandant of Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst; Cathy Donnelly, who is in charge of engineering at the base; Mauricio Borrero, director of Starbase program management; and Jules Z. Lewyckyj, who gave a brief overview of the program's goals.
This is not an aw-shucks Buck Rogers stunt, the board was told, although the participants will get to shoot off miniature rockets, operate flight simulators, learn the mechanical aspects of flight and perform many other experiments. The program is a serious attempt to get America back on track in the essential fields of math and science.
The U.S. ranks 27th among 39 developed nations in math and science literacy.
To address this national shortcoming, the Department of Defense will underwrite this program. All that is required is the community must agree to the program, and a member of Congress must fund it in the budget. The freeholders will vote on a resolution of support for the program at their public meeting next Wednesday, while Chris Smith, the 4th District congressman, has already filed for budget inclusion.
In total, 850 county students will pass through the 25-hour course comprised of one day per week for five weeks. The groups will be divided in two with 25 to 35 students per class. They alternate between studying theory and using computer simulations to see the practical applications.
Using the acronym STEM (for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Lewyckyj said the program hopes to inspire future engineers, scientists and mathematicians who will guide this country some day. This program would utilize the skills and experiences of many of the 1,500 scito entists employed at the base to teach the children how to do research, be more proficient in math and science and achieve scientific literacy.
"We'll need a year to get set up," said Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari in applauding the program. "That's why we need to get (the approval) done at the next meeting."
"I'm very proud this concept has been proposed in Ocean County," said Freeholder Gerry Little. This is a fantastic, very limited opportunity for kids in our county. They'll see positive role models, and bring this back to their schools."
Little also congratulated the Navy for shooting down the spy satellite that fell out of orbit a few weeks ago, saying it was a technological achievement no other country currently can do.
"And you did it in one shot," Little emphasized. "The whole country cheered."
The STEM program is open to both public and private school fifth graders who are interested in aviation. Other goals are to develop leadership and communication skills, promote positive, drug free lifestyles. There will also be summer sessions for those students who are not selected for the school year program.
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