About Us

At Pelican State STARBASE, we disrupt the pattern of educational inequity by offering STEM education early and consistently for 5th graders. We’re nurturing the next generation of passionate leaders, bold thinkers, and successful professionals by giving kids of all abilities and backgrounds an equal chance to learn and love STEM.

We help 5th graders start STEM early and excel through the journey

Originating in Detroit, Michigan, as Project Stars in 1991, the DoD STARBASE Program strives to engage students through the inquiry-based curriculum with its “hands-on, minds-on”; experiential activities. The participants interact with military personnel to observe STEM applications and explore careers in the “real world.”

We help students that are historically underrepresented in STEM: students who have a disability, who are low in performance, are socio-economically disadvantaged, or who live in rural locations or inner cities.

Our curriculum comprises of progressive units of instruction that cover an array of STEM concepts. While 5th grade is the target age bracket for daily operations, outreach opportunities can be provided for other age levels when space and/or time allows.

PROGRAM HOURS

  • Mon - Fri

    8:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    • VISION STATEMENT

    • To be the premier Department of Defense youth outreach program for improving the skills and knowledge of our nation’s at-risk youth and raising the interest in learning to develop a skilled and highly educated American workforce who can meet the advanced technological requirements of the Department of Defense.

    • MISSION STATEMENT

    • To expose our nation’s youth to the positive military and civilian role models found on the reserve, guard, and active military bases and installations. To nurture a winning network of collaborators and build mutual loyalty within our communities by providing 25 hours of exemplary hands-on instruction and activities that meet or exceed the National Standards.

      • 1991: Originated in Detroit, Michigan as Project Stars

      • 1999: Initially opened for operations in the New Orleans Area at Jackson Barracks in 1999

      • 2005: Moved to Camp Beauregard in Rapides Parish after sustaining serious damage from Hurricane Katrina

      • 70: DOD STARBASE Programs across the United States today

      • 15: Years of serving children in the Central Louisiana area as a premier STEM education provider