Let's face it, math and science are not everyone's favorite subjects. But I think it's just as clear that math and science enter into our lives every day. So we should not be afraid of them, we should all learn a little about them. I remember my experiences in those subjects in elementary school and junior high, but it wasn't much ... mostly arithmetic and dissecting a frog! Fortunately, my first real science teacher taught me how to run an experiment, and my eyes (as well as my future) opened up. Now, not everyone will grow up to be an engineer. But I think it's important that everyone get the opportunity to understand how an airplane can fly or a rocket can go straight up in the air! It's the fascination of discovery that starts us all down a road we might never have found otherwise.

In 2002 we brought STARBASE to Portsmouth Public Schools. It was a prototype program to see if 500 fifth grade students would enjoy learning about airplanes and rockets ... with some team-building and career development thrown in for good measure. They loved it! The rocket launches were spectacular, of course, but the students clearly enjoyed working together to solve simple problems. They gained self-confidence through accomplishment, and they discovered that math and science can actually be fun.

Over the years, we upgraded and expanded the concept of experiential learning so that now all Portsmouth students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades come to STARBASE. In the fourth grade they learn about spatial relationships (mapping, GPS and GIS). In the fifth grade they learn about the weather and the Elizabeth River watershed. And in the sixth grade program they all get to launch their own rocket. We teach by doing, not by drilling. We test, but we don't grade. It works.

Science is no longer a mystery to the graduates of STARBASE Victory. It is an exciting new world to be explored. It's clear to me that we are "Launching Futures, One Child at a Time".