Since 1999, tens of thousands of fifth graders and hundreds of middle and high school students in Shreveport-Bossier have experienced hands-on STEM learning from STARBASE Louisiana based at Barksdale Air Force Base.

STARBASE offers students the opportunity to solve engineering problems by designing, building, and launching model rockets in the annual American Rocketry Challenge in the Washington D.C. area.

For the second year in a row, STARBASE Louisiana teams will be among the finalists competing on May 14, and a $4,000 American Electric Power Foundation grant is helping them to get there.

STARBASE Louisiana Director Laurie Ilgenfritz said sending a student to the competition can be a big expense for a family between airfare and hotels.

“They have a lot of costs they incur with this competition,” Ilgenfritz said. “Entities like the AEP Foundation giving money for the families to be able to offset the cost has enabled a lot of families who would not be able to go to send their kids to nationals.”