DOD STARBASE

STARBASE offers a positive, proven approach to engendering excitement and interest towards math, science and technology skills. These skills are important to our nation's future because:

• During this decade, employment in science and engineering occupations is expected to increase at almost four times the rate for all occupation.
  
• In a comparison of 15 year olds in 27 countries, United States youth ranked 18th in math and 14th in science.
  
• The rapid pace of technological change, and globalization of the economy, simply demands that our workforce be literate in science and math.
  
• Less than 1% of current elementary school students will seek advanced education in the sciences.
  
• When compared with the performance of students from other countries around the world, the performance of  U.S. fourth graders in TIMSS math and science was lower in 2003 than in 1995.
  
• An over-reliance on the math and science talent of  foreign students represents a major potential weakness in the future competitiveness and vitality of the U.S. economy and workforce. (Keeping America Competitive, Education Commission of the States)
  
• Students who attend DOD STARBASE Academies increase their knowledge and skills in math and science.
  
• Students who attend DOD STARBASE improve their attitudes about and their confidence in math and science.