Altus AFB holds STEM fair

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Franklin Ramos | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kayla McCabe, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management craftsman, shows a snake to children during a science, technology, engineering and math fair, Oct. 1, 2015. The fair allowed students and teachers to interact with Airmen from different career fields on base to learn how they apply STEM to their day-to-day operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Franklin R. Ramos/Released)  

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OK, UNITED STATES

10.02.2015

Story by Senior Airman Franklin Ramos 

97th Air Mobility Wing

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – The 97th Air Mobility Wing hosted a science, technology, engineering and math fair, Oct. 1, for more than 50 students and teachers from the Burns Flat community STARBASE program.

The fair allowed students and teachers to interact with Airmen from different career fields on base to learn how they apply STEM to their day-to-day operations.

“The goal of the STEM fair is to orient students with science, technology and mathematical career fields in the Air Force that they can become a part of if they desire,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Amanda Brunette, 97th Medical Group aerospace and operational physiologist. “[Also,] just to give them an overall view of which career fields exists in those areas.”

This event was established to encourage student interests in STEM careers, giving them a chance to observe and learn hands on.

“It’s important because these students might not have access to see these jobs in their everyday life and it just shows them everything that is available to them in the future and it gets them excited about it as well,” said Brunette.

The students visited the kennels, saw aircraft and gathered at the base theater for presentations put together by various units throughout the base.

“This gives the [students] a chance to see what [Altus Air Force Base] has and different opportunities they would have if they wanted to join the Air Force,” said Don Gunter, Burns Flat community STARBASE instructor.

Altus AFB and the STARBASE worked together to help students plan for their future.

“I just want the [students] to know that there are a lot of different opportunities out there and to really find what they are passionate about and find a venue that they can use in their everyday life,” said Brunette. “I think it gets them excited and opens up their eyes to how the Air Force incorporates STEM into what we do. It’s not just airplanes.”

• Date Taken: 10.02.2015
• Date Posted: 10.02.2015 09:36
• Story ID: 177858
• Location: ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OK, US