CAROLINA, Puerto Rico - A group of at-risk youth visited the Starbase program at Air National Guard Base Muñiz in Carolina June 11, 2015.
CREANDO (an acronym in Spanish for “Camino al Reto del Exito A traves de Nuevas y Diferentes Oportunidades,” which means, “on the road to success through new and different opportunities) visited the ANG facilities, toured inside a C-130 aircraft, and participated in an all-day Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) orientation with the Starbase program.
“Normally our groups participate for 25 hours, but this is a special group; in the sense that they will have an opportunity to have a basic idea of what we do at Starbase,” said Mercedes Salichs, Starbase program instructor. “To me it’s a very gratifying experience because I know that for them we have hopes that education and new opportunities will lead them to success.”
During their visit, the CREANDO cadets had the opportunity to see firsthand and ask questions in areas of daily base operations. Their hands-on experience included visiting an Aircrew Flight Equipment facility where parachutes are inspected. They looked through night vision goggles and stepped inside the cockpit of a C-130 aircraft.
“It’s a great opportunity for our kids to come and see what the Air National Guard does, not only during wartime, but during emergency and domestic operations,” said Col. Jose Reyes, commander of the 201st Regiment and youth program manager for the Puerto Rico National Guard. “It’s important for them to know that the Puerto Rico National Guard has so many programs in support of our youth here in Puerto Rico; not only at the high school level, but also at the intermediate and elementary grades.”
“It’s something very interesting and very new,” said one of the Cadets. “It’s something that I like because I would like to join the Air Force, and I’m very interested in learning more.”
The cadets were also able to apply their STEM classroom instructions during two blocks of laboratory experiments. One of the laboratories focused on the environmental sciences while the other offered a basic knowledge in what makes rockets take off. This gave the cadets a different point of view towards seeing what life has to offer.
“I can see life from another perspective and that can change my life,” said another cadet. “I want to see if this is something I like or not.”
“We brought the kids up so they can have a new experience and show them that there are other choices available for them in life,” said retired Sgt. 1st Class Humberto Acosta, CREANDO senior team leader.
The youth programs have sparked interest in STEM for those who have visited in the past. Program participants are taught STEM subjects that help them consider their interests as they grow. The aircrew also takes a serious and dedicated approach when they speak to the youths, because it offers them another way to give back to the community.
“One of our co-pilots actually came to a Starbase trip which Col. Ruben Fernandez currently the Chief of Staff for the Puerto Rico National Guard gave and he remembered,” said 1st Lt. Mario Ibarra, also C-130 aircraft co-pilot. “I take this very seriously because it’s a great opportunity to expose all the capabilities that we have and it also gives us a chance to give back to the community.”
According to the Department of Defense, the Starbase program focuses on elementary students, primarily fifth graders. The goal is to motivate them to explore STEM as they continue their education. Starbase serves students that are historically under-represented in STEM. Students who live in inner cities or rural locations, those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance or have a disability are in the target group.
CREANDO is offered in a quasi-military setting for ages 12 to 20 and is a diversion program for juvenile offenders. The Puerto Rico National Guard in a combined effort with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Juvenile Institutions Administration participate to support and maintain the success of the program.
Subscribe
