STEM

Dept. of Defense Youth STEM Program to Explore Next-Generation Technologies

• By Sri Ravipati
• 08/22/17

A youth outreach program involving hand-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities from the United States Department of Defense celebrates 15 years this week, and plans to expand its curriculum to include next-generation technologies.

DoD STARBASE aims to expose elementary school students to the tech and civilian and military role models found on Active, Guard and Reserve military bases and installations, according to the program site. Participating students can build mutual loyalty within those communities through participating in 25 hours of hands-on, inquiry-based instruction and activities.

Program partner PTC provides its Creo 3D CAD (computer-aided-design) software for students to practice 3D printing and learn aerospace, engineering, mathematics, physics and other STEM concepts, according to the software and services company. Students can use Creo 3D to design unmanned aerial vehicles, for example, while exploring freeform surfacing and direct modeling.       

Now in its 15th year since its nationwide expansion in 2002, DoD STARBASE will introduce augmented reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) concepts into its curriculum. Program participants will soon be able to use PTC’s ThingWorx Studio, a solution that transforms IoT applications into immersive AR experiences.

“Together over the past 15 years, we have helped engage and interest students in engineering with PTC’s CAD software and now we will bring the power of IoT and AR to them in an equally accessible way,” a news release stated. “STARBASE students will be able to explore and reimagine potential careers that may not even exist today.”

More information can be found on the program site.