Eye On Education: Young Scientists Visit Starbase Academy At Hanscom Air Force Base
BOSTON (CBS) - Where will we find the innovators of the future? Or the next great scientists and engineers?
Many of them may be growing up right here in Massachusetts.
A local military base is introducing children to a unique opportunity.
Students from Leominster are enthusiastic about starting a five week program at Starbase Academy at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.
"This is their premiere STEM outreach opportunity to really target kids that are not traditionally exposed to STEM careers and STEM education," said Steve Ramos, Force Development Flight Chief.
Starbase Academy is funded through the Department of Defense and 700 local fifth graders come through the program every year.
Students like Laura Young get to do hands on experiments like fueling a rocket or designing their own space station.
"It's kind of like a rocket blasting off to space so we're going to pretend the Alka-Seltzer is fuel," said Laura Young.
Once a week kids learn about physics, chemistry and engineering at what is a critical moment in their school years as they start to dream of their future.
"We're preparing these kids to be the workforce of the 21st century and the more skills they have early on, the better off they will be," said Starbase Academy Director Dr. Peter Holden.
The students are just as thankful for the opportunity.
"I just think that it's such an honor to be able to come here and to learn so much and that we were the people that were picked to come!" Laura Young said.
If you'd like to apply to the program visit http://mass-starbase.org/
If you have a story you think should be featured in our "Eye On Education" series email us at eyeoneducation@cbs.com or send me a tweet @PaulaEbbenWBZ"