Altus AFB participates in STEM fair at Altus High School

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS, Okla. --  Airmen from various squadrons of Altus Air Force Base and local businesses worked together to host a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fair at Altus High School, May 9, 2013.

"We tried to get students involved with science, technology, engineering and math or STEM," said Capt. Matthew Vallero, 58th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot. "Basically what we wanted to do was showcase different careers and how STEM applied. We wanted kids that were interested in a certain career field to have access to people who have that career, and have the members of that career field tell them how STEM applies to what they do on a day-to-day basis."

The STEM fair was open to students in the Altus area from grades 6-12.

"I think this is wonderful," said Connie Vaughan, Altus Intermediate School sixth grade math teacher. "This is a great opportunity for our kids to see what the Air Force base does and what the community does. It gives them some ideas about careers and a goal to work towards as far as their class work in math and science, so it is a wonderful event. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to bring our kids over here to see this."

Events such as this were created to encourage student interests in STEM careers and give them a chance to experience those careers hands on.

"We have about 20 different booths set-up, not only from the Air Force, but also from agencies in the Altus community," Vallero said. "They have a bunch of hands on material and the students are able to physically touch and speak to these individuals about what they do on a day-to-day basis."

The students from the Altus area seemed to enjoy the hands on experience.

"As I have been walking around and mingling with the students I see that they love the hands on - getting to try on vests, getting to see the man in the bubble suit - it's very enlightening for them," Vaughn said. "I think they are really enjoying the day. They don't often get to leave the classroom, so anytime we can do that it really helps them get a view of what is out there in the world for them."

During the event, students piled into the gymnasium to learn about STEM careers.

"I think the turnout has been great," said Vallero. "We have been having students come in about 40 at a time and the low student to career field ratio has been awesome. Students who are interested have been coming up and talking to us on an individual basis. We are able to answer their questions on a personal level, which helps them and sparks a lot of interest in what we are trying to accomplish."

Vallero is happy to share his passion for his STEM career with local students.

"The biggest thing that I enjoy about this is I get to showcase what I do and I get to showcase my passion for what I do with students and hopefully I will spark an interest and they will take over my job one day," Vallero said.