During the school year, this is what a 5th-grade class at Pike Road may look like. On a Monday morning, fifth graders who typically file into math and science class instead climb onto a bus bound for Maxwell Air Force Base. For one week, their classroom becomes a high-energy lab where Newton’s laws are tested with foam rockets, Bernoulli’s principle lifts handmade wings, and a four-legged robotic “dog” named Astro trots across the floor, responding to code the students have just written. This experience enables students to adopt a new way of thinking.
This experience is called STARBASE Maxwell, a Department of War hands-on, minds-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) outreach program that educates thousands of local students each year through immersive, inquiry-based learning. Part of a nationwide DoW initiative on military installations, STARBASE is designed to spark curiosity, bridge military and civilian communities, and open doors to careers that serve both national defense and Alabama’s growing industries.
“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.”
This partnership has become a signature event in the experience of PRS fifth-grade students: hands-on STEAM learning during a five-day session, taught by instructors who make complex concepts feel like play. In small teams, Pike Road students build and code robots and space vehicles, model nanotechnology, and use geometry and data analysis to solve real-world problems. Mathematics—often the sticking point for many learners—shows up everywhere, woven into measurements, navigation challenges, and engineering design.
The result back home is immediate and visible. Teachers see students return with a stronger “try-it-and-see” mindset that fits neatly into Pike Road’s project-based learning model. Classroom discussions become more precise and evidence-based. Students who once shied away from math start volunteering to explain how they calculated lift or why their algorithm worked. Interest in robotics, coding clubs, and maker activities surges, and with it, a sense of shared purpose across grade levels.
“The kids love meeting military members,” said Margaret Woods, 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 AFB and the River Region community.
Since its inception in 2004, STARBASE Maxwell has experienced significant growth. 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 STARBASEs around the globe and the only STARBASE in the State of Alabama.
A key part of that growth includes new technology, such as 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,” said Welch. “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 the 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,” said Welch. “That’s what STARBASE Maxwell is all about, building the next generation of innovators who will strengthen our communities and our nation.”
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