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Show HILLTOP TIMES t11\ Hill Starbase Academy gives students STEM building blocks Hr 64 9 F-16 pilot talks at students graduation about how concepts impact his mission BY MARY Lou CORNY Hilltop Times editor C LEARFIELD — The Hill Starbase Academy celebrated the graduation of three sixth-grade classes from South Clearfield Elementary School at a special assembly on Nov. 30. An F-16 pilot from the 388th Fighter Wing, Capt. Bryan Brandon, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. He talked to the students about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, as it is commonly called, in the day-to-day experiences he has as a pilot. He showed a photo of an F-16 firing an MRAD (Medium Range Air Defense) missile. "This is only possible with STEM," Brandon told the students. "The F-16 was designed in the 1970s, and we are still flying it today. So you can see how important STEM is to the future of our nation." With another slide showing an F-16 dropping bombs, Brandon explained to the students that without the use of science, technology, engineering and math it would not be possible to defend our nation. He described an air refueling picture as comparable to an F-16 going into a gas station. "It makes it possible for it to keep airborne and refuel without having to go back and land," he added. "STEM is everywhere in today's world. It's important in our everyday life in cooking, medicine and flying airplanes. STEM gives you the ability to solve complex problems that exist now and in the future," he said. "We cannot overstate the importance of STEM as well as the ability to use it. STEM is an absolute necessity," Brandon said. "So study hard, learn all you can MARY LOU GORNY/Hilltop Times Capt. Bryan Brandon, 388th Fighter Wing, F-16 pilot, addresses the crowd at the South Clearfield Elementary School on Nov. 30 as part of the Hill Starbase Academy Graduation ceremony. about STEM and have fun," he concluded. Frances "Mighty Mouse" Bradshaw, Starbase director, thanked everyone for coming, especially the parents and family members. "Our goal is to expose students to the challenging concepts of math, technology, engineering and science," she said. She said the students had worked on chemistry, physics, engineering, robotics and CAD programming projects during the 25 hours of instruction they received at the Hill Starbase Academy. "At Starbase our goal is to educate world-class engineers and scientists," Bradshaw said. With hands-on projects they design a learning environment that makes it easier for students to see how STEM relates to the things around them and motivates them to be interested in taking math, science, engineering and technology classes as they progress into junior high and senior high school and then further enrolling in college. "They will then be able to help us and our nation to work," said Bradshaw. There is currently a 41 school waiting list to attend Starbase from the Davis County School District. RETREAT From page 7 Jorgensen, the "Activities Guy," said. After orientation, the families had three options: going for a hike through the surrounding mountain area, skiing at Wolf Creek, or going for a hayride at a local farm. Thankfully, there was enough time to do more than one for many families, since they had hours before they had to be back at Pineview. Since it had not snowed in Eden, the man-made snow at Wolf Creek had to suffice for the skiers. At the hayride, the kids were allowed to play with the dogs who populated the farm, and even pet the young reindeer who were being stabled there at the time. The Hoyt family, which includes five children and two parents, valued the time they had together, especially considering how busy they've been preparing to move to another base in Italy. "It's great for the kids. They love all the games and the things they get to do. And then we get a chance to get some alone time. The sessions are a great chance to think about things that our crazy work schedule sometimes doesn't allow us to think about," Maj. Matt Hoyt, 75th Air Base Wing, said. Later on, the kids were given their own area to play games while their parents took part in a couples' session where they discussed their own lives and were given advice about how to maintain the vows they had made to each other. "This has been great. We have a two-year-old and a one-year-old in our house, so alone time is not very common. Seeing other parents with their kids has also been helpful, looking at how they keep their relationship alive through deployments and having the kids around," Vania Ferreira said. Another event was a candle-lit At left, the Hoyt children take a look at the reindeer who are staying in Eden for the holiday season. Below, they get a good look at the horses who pulled the wagon for the hayrides during the AEF retreat. MIKAYLA BEYER Hilltop Times "This has been great. We have a two-year-old and a one-year-old in our house, so alone time is not very common. Seeing other parents with their kids has also been helpful, looking at how they keep their relationship alive through deployments and having the kids around." VANIA FERREIRA dinner at Harley and Bucks Grill, where couples sat at tables of two. The weekend ended on Sunday, with the families feeling energized for the holiday season and the responsibilities they face year-round. |