GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Members of the 312th Training Squadron special instruments training flight briefed Goodfellow youth at the Consolidated Youth Center July 28.
The SPINSTRA team demonstrated some of the aspects of their career field such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics otherwise known as STEM. According to http://www.stemedcoalition.org/, the central mission of the STEM Education Coalition is to inform federal and state policymakers on the critical role that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education plays in U.S. competitiveness and future economic prosperity.
The goal for Staff Sgt. Natasha Mattoon, 312th TRS SPINSTRA instructor, to get kids fascinated in the ever-changing science of the SPINSTRA career field.
“We’re continuing to progress in science and information technology … ,” said Mattoon. “So getting these kids interested and involved when they’re at a young age is kind of a really big deal.”
Mattoon and Tech. Sgt. Brian P. Ferestad, 312th TRS special instruments training instructor, used several items to demonstrate science to include an earthquake table, a Slinky and florescent light bulb.
The Earthquake table featured a Lego tower and Jenga tower to show the different effects that take place on reinforced versus non-reinforced buildings during seismic activity. The Jenga tower quickly collapsed while the Lego tower withstood the quake.
Tech. Sgt. Robert D. Mrowiec, 312th Training Squadron course development manager, believes the demonstrations can help stimulate kids interested in science.
“These demonstrations capture the imaginations and interest of children at an early age,” said Mrowiec. “It inspires them to ask questions and to learn about the world around them.”
Mrowiec also says he wants to reach out to younger generations as they one day will be the future.
“If we can reach just a handful of children at each demonstration then we are making a difference,” added Mrowiec. “Those children will be responsible for taking on our mantle when it is time for them to step up and be commanders and senior enlisted leaders. Even if they decide to stay civilian, we still need doctors, nurses, technicians, specialists [and] engineers.”