Fort Drum Soldiers Build Bridges with Local Schools at STARBASE

By Sgt. Matthew ConnorMarch 28, 2025

Fort Drum Soldiers Build Bridges with Local Schools at STARBASE
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Division Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and students from Gouverneur Middle School pose for a photo in front of a Palletized-Loading System at the end of STARBASE at Fort Drum, New York, March, 28, 2025. STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that allows students to learn about STEM subjects and how they relate to everyday and military life. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Matthew S. Connor) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Drum Soldiers Build Bridges with Local Schools at STARBASE
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Division Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI) demonstrate the Palletized-Loading System for students from Gouverneur Middle School during STARBASE at Fort Drum, New York, March 28, 2025. STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that allows students to learn about STEM subjects and how they relate to everyday and military life. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Matthew S. Connor) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Drum Soldiers Build Bridges with Local Schools at STARBASE
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students from Gouverneur Middle School build a model bridge using glue and popsicle sticks to hold up a toy truck during STARBASE at Fort Drum, New York, March, 28, 2025. STARBASE is a Department of Defense-funded program that provides supplemental hands-on STEM education to surrounding school districts.

(U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Matthew S. Connor) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Drum Soldiers Build Bridges with Local Schools at STARBASE
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students from Gouverneur Middle School create a model hydraulic press, using water and plastic tubing to raise and lower the ladder on the toy fire truck during STARBASE at Fort Drum, New York, March 28, 2025. STARBASE is a Department of Defense-funded program that provides supplemental hands-on STEM education to surrounding school districts. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Matthew S. Connor) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (March 28, 2025) – Soldiers assigned to C Co., 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Division Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), teach students of Gouverneur Middle School about military transportation during a STARBASE event, March, 28, 2025.

STARBASE is a valuable program funded by the Department of Defense that provides students with interactive learning experiences on military installations while allowing them to receive instruction directly from Soldiers.

“I’m actually an 88M, a (Motor Transport Operator) which is why this STEM program is so important, because it actually teaches kids how we go into different areas” said Staff Sgt. Marine Henriques, a transportation noncommissioned officer with the 548th DSSB, 10th DSB, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the lead instructor for this class.”

The students were divided into two groups to maximize their learning experience. One group constructed bridges using glue and popsicle sticks, racing against the clock to test their designs for strength by supporting the weight of a toy fire truck. Meanwhile, the second group focused on building ramps from cardboard and books, measuring the incline to assess how successfully they could propel toy vehicles up the slope. Additionally, the students created catapults, using popsicle sticks and rubber bands, to launch marshmallows, effectively applying the concepts they had learned.

After the classroom, the students were brought outside, where Soldiers demonstrated the Palletized Loading System (PLS), a military transportation vehicle, capable of pulling 16.5 tons onto its rack. This hands-on experience allowed students to tour the vehicle and explore its features, enhancing their understanding of military transportation.

STARBASE not only builds students' understanding of STEM but also builds a stronger bond with local communities, allowing Soldiers to give back to the North Country.

“I think this is a great program in the sense that it provides cohesion with us and our neighboring community,” said Henriques. “As well as providing information for these kids into just how we go about protecting them… and give them insight into what it’s actually like to be an actual Soldier”

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