FORT SILL, Okla. (June 15, 2017) -- Members from Boy Scout troop 4173, under the guidance and direction of their Scout master, Alan Spencer, took part in a weeklong camp which focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills, June 5-8.
The camp was sponsored by Starbase, a Department of Defense program which aims to "expose our nation's youth to the technological environments and positive civilian and military roles found on active, Guard, and Reserve military bases and installations," according to the program web site. Its activities culminated with a rocket launch which took place outside of the troop headquarters, here.
During the morning ice-breaker session, each Boy Scout had to stand up and tell the troop what kind of career he wanted to pursue, and how he planned to achieve his goal. Answers ranged from astronomer to astrophysicist, with a few wanting to become doctors and politicians.
Prompted by three Starbase volunteers in bright red shirts, the Scouts then gave a brief but detailed plan of action.
Outside the troop hut, 14 Boy Scouts lined up, rockets in hand.
Earlier in the week, the troop spent time constructing the rockets, which came in kits and needed adequate time to dry. Using a motor and a battery-operated propulsion system, Scouts launched their rockets into the Oklahoma sky and then retrieved them. The aim of this exercise was to apply Newton's laws of physics in a practical way.
"This camp has been a lot of fun," said Scout Chase Boothe. "They let us do our own thing, so it's really creative," he said of constructing the rockets.
A retired electrical engineer from NASA, Spencer has been Scout master for Troop 4173 for three years. He will soon transition into a new role as a district commissioner, but has found his time with Fort Sill's troop to be enlightening and memorable.
"To build young men, and to prepare boys to make correct moral and ethical choices is my motivation," said Spencer. "Along with my wife, we help expose them to a wide variety of experiences that provide an anchor to help these boys grow and mature."
One of the ways Spencer is achieving this is through the partnership with Starbase.
Scouts awaited their turn to clip wires to their rockets, and were patiently instructed under the guidance of three Starbase volunteers. The majority of the rockets shot into the air, but there were a few duds, which offered the Starbase instructors and Boy Scouts another hands-on learning activity.
The programs offered by Starbase focus on team building exercises and inquiry-based experiments. Shayla Washington, of Starbase, said the program has helped reach more than 1,000 Lawton-Fort Sill youths.
"I love to learn, and seeing these kids learn is really great," said Washington, who holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in education.
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