STARBASE is a program that “provides 25-hours of hands-on, minds-on, high-tech discovery and inquiry-based activities to fifth grade students using a common curriculum that meets or exceeds a variety of National Standards. The 25-hours of STEAM instruction is carried out as an extension of the traditional classroom, where classrooms of students are brought out to a military installation and, along with engaging in STEAM activities, are given opportunities to engage with positive role models and the technological environment found on military bases and installations” (starbasenorthdakota.com).
At Minot Air Force Base, STARBASE ND is located in North Plains Elementary School. The Minot Public School District is the program administrator and the School Liaison Program Manager is the DoD STARBASE Minot Installation Program Manager. Fifth grade classrooms from Minot Public Schools and regional schools attend the program. Additionally, STARBASE ND hosts two five-day STARBASE Summer Academies open to all regional students who just completed fifth grade and will be attending sixth grade in the fall. On June 13th, 2025, Minot AFB’s 5th Mission Support Group Commander, Colonel Richard Zeigler, and his wife, Mrs. Cheree Zeigler, along with Senior Enlisted Leader, CMSgt Zakaria El Bouab, participated in the 2nd STARBASE ND Summer Academy Graduation Ceremony.
Heading into School Year 2025-2026 amid uncertain funding for this DoD Program, Minot Public Schools moved the two STARBASE teachers, Mrs. Ziegler and Mrs. McCullough, to other classrooms to ensure their employment. They really enjoyed teaching STEAM at STARBASE ND and left with heavy hearts. They will continue teaching at North Plains Elementary School and Erik Ramstad Middle School. Mrs. Powell, Office Manager, and Mr. Dawson, Director, have agreed to continue on at STARBASE ND through the end of the fiscal year on September 30th with the hope the program remains operational after that date. They will move into the primary teaching roles for now.
We look forward to starting School Year 2025-2026 with STARBASE ND and remain hopeful that funding will be allocated to this special program so that it may continue after September 30th, 2025! For more information on the program, please visit: https://www.starbasenorthdakota.com/.
The information in this article is provided as a resource and does not constitute endorsement by Minot AFB, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense of the external website, or the information, products, or services contained therein.
5th MSG Commander, Col Zeigler and his wife Mrs. Zeigler, Senior Enlisted Leader, CMSgt El Bouab, and Starbase ND Director, Mr. Jon Dawson, answer student questions and share program information.
