Free elementary STEM program STARBASE to shutter after federal funding cut

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The stem education program known as STARBASE, which is free to all fifth graders in new Hanover County, may soon shutter after cuts to federal funding. 

Starbase Wilmington announced on Facebook that the program faces imminent closure after a loss of federal funds. 

The Department of Defense program offers free hands-on learning to fifth graders in the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. 

The program lost its funding after congress cut the DOD’s funding by $40 million. 

Stephanie Formhals of Wilmington had two of her kids go through the program. Formhals said she’s devastated to hear of the potential closure and hopes lawmakers will act. 

“You know you have kids in there that think ‘I’m not into science, or I’m not any good at math,’ and that is disproven time after time during that week,” she said. “It’s an investment, and It’s one that we absolutely should make.”  

STARBASE also has other locations across the country that are likely to close. The program first started in Michigan in 1991.