Youth Program Inspires Next Generation of STEAM Leaders

STARBASE Maxwell, a War Department hands-on, youth science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics outreach program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is educating thousands of local students each year through immersive, inquiry-based learning.

The program bridges the gap between military and civilian communities while opening doors to technical careers that support both national defense and Alabama's growing industries.

Part of a nationwide DOW initiative, STARBASE programs operate on military installations across the country to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education and career awareness among the nation's youth.

"STARBASE is about sparking curiosity," said Ted Welch, STARBASE Maxwell director. "We want students to see that science and engineering aren't just subjects in school - they're ways of thinking, creating and solving problems that shape the world around us."

Through partnerships with Autauga County schools, Elmore County School District, Montgomery Public Schools, Crenshaw County schools and Pike Road schools, the program provides fifth graders with 25 hours of hands-on STEAM education during a five-day session. Students attend free of charge and engage in challenging experiments and team-based learning opportunities designed to make complex scientific concepts come alive.

Each day, students apply math, science and engineering principles through activities such as studying Newton's laws and Bernoulli's principle, building and coding robots and space vehicles and exploring nanotechnology and navigation. Mathematics is woven throughout the curriculum as students calculate measurements, analyze data and use geometry to solve real-world problems.

To connect these lessons to real-world applications, STARBASE Maxwell invites service members from across the military to visit classrooms and share how STEAM supports their missions. Students hear from a variety of career fields, including pilots, air traffic controllers, firefighters, nurses, engineers and Space Force guardians, helping them understand how technical skills support the nation's defense mission.

"The kids love meeting military members," said Margaret Woods, a STARBASE Maxwell instructor. "It gives them a glimpse of the teamwork, technology and service behind every uniform. It also helps them see pathways they might not have considered before."

This partnership reinforces Air Education and Training Command's commitment to developing airmen and inspiring future innovators, while also building stronger relationships between Maxwell Air Force Base and the River Region community.

Since its start in 2004, STARBASE Maxwell has grown significantly. During the 2024-2025 academic year alone, the program reached a record 3,266 students, and plans are underway to expand to more than 4,000 participants next year. As such, STARBASE Maxwell is the largest of 87 STARBASE programs around the globe and the only one in Alabama.

A key part of that growth includes new technology like a robotic dog that helps students learn coding, problem-solving and advanced robotics concepts. This robot can navigate terrain, recognize colors and shapes and engage students in real-time programming exercises.

"Astro brings robotics to life," Welch said. "It makes coding tangible and exciting, and students leave wanting to learn more."

The program's impact reaches far beyond the gates of Maxwell. By igniting interest in STEAM subjects early, STARBASE Maxwell helps prepare students for technical careers that support Alabama's industries, including aerospace, automotive and defense sectors.

With plans to expand facilities, integrate more advanced robotics and increase participation across the region, STARBASE Maxwell continues to embody DOW's commitment to education, innovation and community partnership.

"Whether these kids join the military, work in engineering or start their own tech companies, they'll carry the confidence and problem-solving skills they learned here," Welch added. "That's what STARBASE Maxwell is all about, building the next generation of innovators who will strengthen our communities and our nation."