Inspired to Take Flight By Ricky Chambers

In April of 2012 I started working towards getting my pilot’s license. My interest started back in elementary school when I was in 4th grade. I had Mrs. Jennifer Harper for a teacher at Cavendish Elementary School and we did weekly field trips to the Rutland Armory for 5 weeks. While we were at the Armory we attended a program called STARBASE. This program introduced me to aeronautical information. We learned about the forces of the earth, astronomy, made rockets and hot air balloons, and used flight simulators. We also toured the Rutland Airport and went around the hangers and sat in one of the planes like we were pilots. From that moment I knew I wanted to work toward becoming a pilot.

In July of 2011, I took my first introductory flight. We got in the plane and taxied down the runway. Once we got to the end of the runway the pilot allowed me to run the controls for takeoff. We then headed for the sky. That first flight was incredible….to go against all forces and be free like a bird and in control. That was

when I was 15 years old.

In February of 2012 I turned 16. Shortly after that I began driving myself down to Keene for weekly lessons. I worked all summer to pay for the lessons. After flying weekly for most of the summer, I was ready for my first solo flight. I was so excited.

I arrived at the airport and met up with my instructor. We climbed into the plane and headed for the runway. We took off and did several practice landings. After about an hour I landed the plane and my instructor told me I was ready to go solo. I headed back out on the runway and took off alone. Since this first solo flight I have flown 4 hours by myself and went back up with the instructor to do my IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) training. I plan to finish my training by February of 2013 so I can get my pilot license. Then I will continue my training to hopefully become a bush pilot in Alaska.

STARBASE helped me find this interest through the program they have for elementary students. My STARBASE instructors were knowledgeable, interesting and fun.

Our mission is to raise the interest and improve the knowledge and skills of youth in STEM (science, technology,

engineering and math).

More than 21,000 students have participated in STARBASE Vermont.

Over 700,000 students have participated in DoD STARBASE nationwide since 1993.

Check out the new DoD STARBASE web site at

www.dodstarbase.org A team of students work together to program

their robot for its journey at STARBASE.

By JoAnna Tebbetts, Training Coordinator/Instructor, South Burlington

Over this past summer I was offered a full scholarship from Honeywell to attend Space Academy for Educators at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. For 5 days I was able to participate in activities and lessons that students of a variety of ages normally participate in. We built vehicles and heat shields designed to keep an egg safe, we spent time training for simulated astronaut missions, and learned about space life support systems while designing a water filtration system and a lunar community. All activities were related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Afterward, we were given time to discuss with the other teachers how to adapt and adjust each lesson to meet the needs of our students back home. Additionally, we were given private tours of the Space and Rocket Center and the outdoor rocket museum. There were also guest speakers including astronaut Hoot Gibson. It was incredible to meet Hoot, who was a major part of several shuttle flights, and who made his presentation applicable to the teachers. We spent time bonding with about 15

other teachers from four different countries as we discussed our careers, our experiences, and our passion for science. I am extremely grateful to Honeywell for affording me this excellent training, and for allowing me to be a part of the Space Academy for Educators. The experience has re-ignited my personal passion for science while reiterating the importance of teamwork and hands-on STEM. I can’t wait to apply what I have learned and put this energy to good use in the STARBASE classroom.

Hiker Girl travels to Alabama for Space Camp

Bob Snarski Retires After 9 years with STARBASE, the “Chief” has moved into the retirement phase following his lengthy career of public service. Bob served his country and state with 22 years in the Army National Guard, 34 years as an educator in the public schools (with 21 years as a Principal), and 41 years as a volunteer fire fighter (many of those years as the Fire Chief).

Now Bob can dedicate more time to his wife Sally, his family, fishing, hunting, and other hobbies. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Chief. His impact on STARBASE will be felt for many years to come.

“STARBASE launched my dreams higher than I ever thought possible! Thank you so much. I loved all the cool experiments and lessons. My experience there was amazing. STAR-BASE lifts peoples’ spirits so high, they’re in the clouds!” - Jaylin, BFA Fairfax student

RUTLAND SITE:

Barstow Bellows Falls (2 classes) Benson Castleton (2 classes) Cavendish Christ the King, Rutland Jamaica Killington Lothrop, Pittsford Mt. Holly Neshobe (2 classes) Orwell Poultney Proctor (3 classes) Ripton Rochester Rutland City (9 classes) Rutland Area Christian Salisbury Shaftsbury (2 classes) Shoreham Stockbridge Wallingford Wardsboro Wells (2 classes) West Rutland Windham

Mary Ann Ledwith, IBM (Board President)

Jeff Rector, VTANG (Board Treasurer)

Donna Austin-Hawley, VSAC

Joel Clark, VTANG

David Coen, VT Public Service Board

Peter Fagan, Rutland School Board

Mike Morgan, VTANG

Don Rendall, Green Mountain Power

Bill Sacco, GE Aviation

John Sheehey, St. Michael’s College

Non-Profit Board of Directors

STARBASE Vermont Staff

Doug Gilman (Coach), State Director

Dan Myers (Strider), Unit Chief, BTV

Barb Pennington (Jade), Unit Chief, RUT

Joanna Tebbetts (Hiker Girl), Training Coordinator, BTV

Becky Dansereau (Wildflower), Training Coordinator, RUT

Paige Montgomery (Lady Bug), Instructor, BTV

Our Partner Schools for 2012-2013 SOUTH BURLINGTON SITE:

Alburg BFA Fairfax (3 classes) Bakersfield Bristol (3 classes) Browns River Middle School (2 classes) C.P. Smith, Burlington (2 classes) Cambridge (2 classes) Central VT Catholic School Christ the King, Burlington Folsom, South Hero (2 classes) Grand Isle Highgate IAA at Wheeler, Burlington (2 classes) JFK, Winooski (3 classes) Lincoln (2 classes) Orchard, So. Burlington (3 classes) St. Albans Town (4 classes) Vergennes (2 classes)

Vermont Air National Guard 62 NCO Drive, Building 90 South Burlington, VT 05403 802-660-5201

STARBASE Vermont

Vermont Army National Guard Rutland AFRC 2143 Post Road Rutland, VT 05701 802-786-3820

www.starbasevt.org

www.dodstarbase.org (NEW!)

Thank you to all of our community sponsors and generous donors who supported the students of STARBASE Vermont over the past year.

Vermont Air & Army National Guard

General Dynamics (GDATP)

General Dynamics Employees (ECAC)

David Gottshall

IBM Corporation

IBM Employees & Retirees (ECCC)

Mary Ann Ledwith

General Electric Corporation

General Electric Employees in Rutland

GE Foundation (Matching Gifts)

S.J. Berbeco Philanthropic Fund

Liquid Measurement Systems

George Lamphere

North Country Federal Credit Union

Frank Thompson

Nathalie & Emanuel Goldberg Advised Fund

Paul and Carol Goldberg

Green Mountain Power

Don Rendall

VTSHARES (State Employees)

CFC (Federal Employees)

Vermont NEA

Rutland Southern VT Regional Airport

Civil Air Patrol

Fothergill Segale and Valley, CPAs

Lela McCaffrey

SoVerNet Communications

C.P. Smith Elementary School

James and Judith Pizzagalli

Bill Sacco

David Coen

Ken Gragg

John Scott

Sandy and Ron Gascon

Pat and Don Hemenway

Thomas and Robin McCormick

Thomas Amidon

Martin Brennan

Jason Elledge

Laura Stone

Patrick McBride

Laura Chadwick

Ryan Driscoll

Lynne Walther

“I cannot think of a single moment during the five days that CES spent with the STARBASE team that was not used for meaningful learning. Each lesson/activity had a clear target and purpose and was aligned with the VT Grade Level Expectations. They encouraged all students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, use appropriate tools strategically and attend to precision. I learned a great deal myself about classroom practices and building activities that clearly address specific grade level expectations while working with and observing this amazing group of teachers. If I were looking for a model classroom that clearly shows what the new Common Core State Standards are asking teachers to do regarding classroom practices, I would recommend the STARBASE classroom in Rutland.”

- Debbie Alexander, Castleton Teacher

Special thanks to IBM for their $10,000 Community Impact Grant. This grant made it possible to purchase 12 new computers for the students at our Rutland program site.