Mableton ES + Starbase Aerospace Engineers-in-Training
Fifth graders at Mableton Elementary have become aerospace engineers-in-training through participating in the Starbase program.
Starbase, which is a program that was developed by the Department of Defense, has been in existence since 1991. It was designed to provide fifth grade students with hands-on exposure and experience with the science, math, technology, and physics included in flight. It has since expanded beyond elementary schools into middle schools with the Starbase 2.0 program.
Teacher Alana Davis is heading the pilot program at Mableton Elementary School. To jump start the program, the students took a field trip to Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia. There, they spent five days learning about the Starbase program, how they would be participating in it, and more regarding aerospace engineering.
Upon returning back to school, the students then set about working in their school's Starbase lab on 3-D models of drones. This introduction to CAD, computer-aided design, was engaging for the students, and helped them see the many ways in which Science Technology and Math are relevant in the real-world.
Cultivating Collaboration
In addition to their work in the Starbase program, Ms. Davis formed an alliance with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). Each week, her students have a video call via Skype with one of two graduate students at M.I.T. Each student group takes turn asking questions or updating the graduate student on their progress. In turn, the M.I.T student acts as an adviser, additional team member, and guide for Ms. Davis' fifth graders.
"The M.I.T. graduate students were impressed that we were working with CAD programs of this level--one of them said they had only recently started to work with them in college." -Alana Davis
This partnership came about from one of Ms. Davis' students passion for M.I.T. As a result, the students are now receiving continued support and connection to the world beyond their classroom.
Within Alana Davis' classroom, the students work in collaborative groups which is one of the key pillars of the Starbase program.
The program focuses on an inquiry-based approach where students learn through hands-on experience. Their work is inter-disciplinary where skills from all subjects are interwoven throughout their exploration of the Starbase STEM curriculum.
Bringing STEM to Life
Students work together to explore, explain, evaluate, and elaborate upon concepts.
The students' creations then become realized via the 3-D printer.
Additional Connections
As a result of Starbase, students have been making connections to STEM outside the classroom. Here, a young girl showcases her new BB-8 Sphero. A variant on the Sphero educational toy which pairs the spherical toy with an app that work together teach to children how to code, this BB-8 version offered additional features to mimic the robot it is modeled after from "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens."
Tackling Robotics
One student took his enthusiasm for STEM a step further by building his own voice-activated robot.
Here, he shows an M.I.T. grad student his creation via Skype.
Developing a Culture of Exploration
As a result of the work through the Starbase lab, program, and accompanying curriculum, Ms. Alana Davis and her students have developed a classroom culture of exploration. The students embrace their failures as learning opportunities, and as a result, have a hunger and excitement for STEM that is propelling them forward toward their future educational goals.