ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- On Dec. 2, 2021, the Altus Air Force Base STEM council donated more than $12,000 in robotics equipment to three schools in the Altus community.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to by the acronym STEM, is a term used to describe a group of academic disciplines often associated with education and school curriculum choices.
The AAFB STEM council’s mission is to facilitate local school-aged children's access to the tools and technology of the future.
“My STEM kids have been asking for this, so getting these kits will benefit them in innumerable ways,” said Angela Wallace, Navajo Public School science and STEM teacher. “STEM is the future, STEM is where all the jobs are going, so they need this hands-on technology connection that they don't always have out here in rural Oklahoma.”
Since the AAFB STEM council was formally organized in September of 2021, they have interacted with more than 1,000 local students.
“Our mission is to provide mentorship and help the children in our community develop their mental abilities and building skills,” said Jerry Biscaino, 97th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection supervisor and STEM council member. “Personally, I do this because I like encouraging the students to do whatever they believe they can do.”
For more information about the AAFB STEM council, visit the Altus AFB School Liaison & STEM Office Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AltusSLO