RESPONSIBILITIES: Department of Defense (DoD) STARBASE is a premier educational program, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. At the DoD STARBASE, fifth grade students participate in challenging “hands-on, mind-on” activities in aviation, science, technology, engineering, math, and space exploration. They interact with military personnel to explore careers and make connections with the “real world.” This program is funded through the Department of Defense and will be located at the Montana Air National Guard unit located on Gore Hill.

Delivery Model: One to two groups of students will be bussed to the program for five consecutive days of experiential learning opportunities. Fifth grade students and their teachers will participate in this program.

Curriculum: STARBASE Program curriculum. The core curriculum areas are:

· Physics: (Newton’s Law of Motion, fluid mechanics and aerodynamics)

· Chemistry Science: (Building blocks of matter, physical and chemical changes, atmospheric properties)

· Engineering: (Engineering design process, 3-D computer aided design)

· Mathematics: (Measurement, geometry, data analysis)

· STEM Careers

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

· Serves as classroom instructor to teach STARBASE academic and computer aided design curriculum.

· Assists Program director with development and implementation of the STARBASE program.

· Researches, plans and develops cutting edge STEM curriculum that incorporates effective practices in teaching and learning, integrates application of “real world” experiences, and broadens students’ awareness of STEM careers.

· Evaluates program curriculum to assure alignment with Montana STARBASE mission and goals and required DoD core objectives, and state and national standards.

· Utilizes a variety of strategies and teaching methods to encourage students’ curiosity and natural desire to experiment and discover.

· Evaluates and continuously improves program and curriculum based on assessment data, evaluations, observations and educator/participant feedback.

· Collects, enters analyzes and interprets outcome data from student and program evaluations to provide reports.

· Assists with and provides presentations and written information to promote community awareness of the program as needed.

· Assists with writing grant proposals and developing collaborative partnerships for support of the STARBASE mission and goals.

· Assists with all other activities deemed necessary by STARBASE Director and performs related work as assigned.

Lead Teacher Responsibilities:

· Schedule, plan and facilitate the activities noted above.

· Coordinate the efforts of the other two STARBASE teachers.

· Coordinate with 5^th grade classroom teachers.

· Serve as the liaison between the STARBASE Director and the District.

CLOSING DATE: January 5, 2012

A cover letter and current resume must be received in the Human Resources Office by the closing date. Materials will be accepted from current GFPS teaching staff only.

Great Falls Public Schools and STARBASE Montana

Fact Sheet

Background: Department of Defense (DoD) STARBASE is a premier educational program sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. At the DoD STARBASE, fifth grade students participate in challenging: “hands-on, mind on” activities in aviation, science, technology, engineering, math, space exploration. They interact with military personnel and local professionals to explore careers and make connections with the “real world.” This program is funded through the department of defense and will be located at the Great Falls Air National Guard (MANG) location on Gore Hill. Discussions regarding STARBASE coming to Great Falls started in the spring of 2007.

Delivery Model: Students will be bussed to the off-site classroom for five days of experiential learning opportunities. Fifth grade students from Great Falls and the surrounding area will participate in this program.

Curriculum: STARBASE program curriculum covers state standards. The delivery model is designed to provide highly engaging activities. The core curriculum areas are:

· Physics: (Newton’s Law of Motion, fluid mechanics and aerodynamics)

· Chemistry Science: (Building blocks of matter, physical and chemical changes, atmospheric properties)

· Engineering: (Engineering design process, 3-D computer aided design)

· Mathematics: (Measurement, geometry, data analysis)

· STEM Careers

Program Funding:

STARTBASE will provide:

· Department of Military Affairs budget of approximately $300,000 per year.

· STARBASE Director: Mike Stone

· Fund three district level positions and one Deputy Director which is a state position.

o Wendy Fechter

· STEM education curriculum.

· All program material and handouts.

· Program orientation and training.

· Pre and post assessments.

Great Falls Public Schools will provide:

· Great Falls Public Schools will provide one lead teacher and two other instructors. These positions will be funded by the DoD STARBASE budget.

· Fifth grade students from the Great Falls Public Schools.

· It will serve 850-900 fifth grade students from Great Falls and the surrounding area every year.

· Transportation of students to STARBASE at MANG. This will be at no additional cost to the district.

· Students will be on sight from approximately 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. for five consecutive days.

· Each student will bring a sack lunch or receive a sack lunch through our school food service program.

Key Target Dates:

· Advertisement and hiring for STARBASE instructors December-January

o Lead Teacher will begin work mid-March

o The other two positions will begin in the fall of 2012

· STARBASE program training February 13 – 17, 2012

· April 1^ststart date for a one day STARBASE experience for all Great Falls 5^th grade students. This will be taught by the lead teacher.

· Full program will begin 2012-2013 school year. The other two instructors will come on board at this time.