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Col. David Raugh's 13-year-old daughter aspires to work in
aviation someday, possibly as an astronaut.
But being
uprooted six times from schools as her family moved around the world
hasn't made it easy. Pursuing academic interests can be a struggle
for military children in situations like hers, her father admitted,
especially in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering
and mathematics.
Military family life can teach children
useful skills and values like loyalty and patriotism, said Raugh,
the 502nd Force Support Group commander at Fort Sam Houston.
"However, we need to acknowledge that these constant moves can
impact their access to some educational opportunities," he added.
One way to improve STEM performance among military children,
Raugh told a group of local and state education officials at a
briefing Friday, is through the National Math and Science
Initiative's College Readiness Program.
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January 6, 2017 - Col. David Raugh, the 502nd Force Support Group
commander at Fort Sam Houston, briefs local and state education
officials on the importance of having the National Math and Science
Initiative's College Readiness Program available at
military-connected schools in San Antonio, TX. The program aims to
improve STEM education -- science, technology, engineering and
mathematics -- in schools across the country, including over 150
military-connected schools. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from
Army News Service photos by Sean Kimmons)
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Launched in 2007, the nonprofit program is now in more
than 1,000 schools across the country. As a result, program
officials say, the performance among students in those
schools on advanced placement exams has exceeded 10 times
the national average.
Schools serving military children have also jumped on board, with
more than 150 military-connected schools signed up and more funds
available to expand to 200 in the next two to three years, said
Matthew Randazzo, the initiative's CEO.
With all of its
military bases, according to Randazzo, the San Antonio area was an
ideal spot to spread the program's success to more military
dependents.
"All kids can be a STEM student," Randazzo said.
"I can't think of a better way to enter this market than by grading
these proof points with military students."
Recognizing the
need for more skilled professionals in STEM-related fields, the
Defense Department has granted $23 million in fiscal years 2015 to
2016 to bring the program to more military-connected schools, he
said.
"They've not only committed the funds, they've also
been really important advocates in connecting us in base
communities," he said.
In 2010, the program first came to
military bases after former Army Secretary Pete Geren voiced
concerns about Soldiers at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, being forced
to send their children to private schools due to the inadequate
public schools, according to program officials.Schools serving
military children have also jumped on board, with more than 150
military-connected schools signed up and more funds available to
expand to 200 in the next two to three years, said Matthew Randazzo,
the initiative's CEO.
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CERDEC Math and Science Summer Camp, 2013 (Photo courtesy of U.S.
Army Communications Electronics Research Development and Engineering
Center)
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Under the initiative, teachers who instruct students from
third grade to high school can take part in a Laying the
Foundation Teacher Training Program, which coaches them on
knowledge and instructional best practices and gives them
classroom-ready materials and resources.
"I think
it's about preparing kids for their future and, in our
future, a lot of it is STEM-based with [new] technology,"
Roper said. "The more STEM we can get into our schools, the
better for our kids."
According to Raugh,
research shows that greater emphasis on STEM-related courses
is helpful when students reach those middle and high school
years when their enthusiasm for science tends to dip.
"This potentially allows us to stop this troubling
trend," he said about the program coming to San Antonio.
"This is a great opportunity, and we need to grab onto it
with bulldog tenacity and not let go until this program is
in place."
By Sean Kimmons
Army News Service
Copyright 2017
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