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Congratulations to Cassie Christian!

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Congratulations to Cassie Christian!

Congratulations to Cassie Christian, recipient of a $1,000 STARBASE alumni scholarship.

“I don’t really think many 9- or 10-year-olds know what they want to do when they’re older, but after STARBASE I knew I was going to do something in science.” STARBASE alumni and Collins-Aerospace funded scholarship recipient, Cassie Christian, remembers how exciting and new learning was at STARBASE each day she walked in the door with her 4^th and 5^th grade Achieve Language Academy classes. She has a vivid memory of the Nanotechnology classroom she learned in, which was sponsored by Boston Scientific, and how there was a model of an artery with plaque and blood cells on the wall. Cassie thought having the computers inside the desks was the wildest thing ever, remembers programming robots, and even recounted an activity where you used cards to determine how best to spend resources on Mars.

At the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, Cassie’s busy taking courses in Microbiology, Lab Safety, Calculus, Spanish, and Theater. When asked about her favorite course, she excitedly responded “I was just looking at my course in microbiology and saw that there is a lecture on epidemiology on my birthday!” Cassie’s passion for STEM pours through in conversation. She pursues microbiology to have a wide base of science but plans to attend the University of Minnesota for a PhD in Epidemiology after graduation. She enjoys topics like virology and immunology, but in the long term wants to work as a Disease Detective to figure out why disease outbreaks have happened to prevent them from happening again.

Cassie is actively involved in many different activities outside of her full 19-hour course load pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a minor in Spanish at The University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is vice president of Chemistry Club, a Chancellor student ambassador, has a part time job, is in a rock-climbing sports club and participates in Jiu Jitsu, and she even takes time to volunteer in her mom’s classroom sharing science with kids in the community. Cassie even kickstarted a Nobel Prize night, where she laid out the prizes in laymen’s terms to help shed light on the importance of these people’s contributions to humankind. She attributes her ability to be so involved to her good time management and ability to know when to say no when it’s too much! She dedicates time to her studies and makes space for those extra activities that her heart is called to. She hopes that, working in public health, her Spanish minor will allow her to be able to communicate better with more people.

This STARBASE alumni loves her pursuit of STEM because “STEM is interdisciplinary: there’s a little bit of physics, biology, everything. If you want to reach out to broaden your horizons in other branches of science, that is encouraged because scientists want what’s best for everyone else.” When asked for her advice to students coming to STARBASE, she replied “Soak up every moment, the knowledge you’ll gain, and every opportunity. You’ll see new things that you don’t see or have in your classroom so soak it all in.”

Cassie’s passion for people, for STEM, and for staying involved in the community will allow her to reach great heights. Not only does Cassie exude confidence, we have full confidence that she will contribute to discoveries and innovation that will help others in her future. Congratulations, Cassie, and best of luck in your pursuit of STEM!

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What People Are Saying

My dream job includes STEM, so what I learned at STARBASE will help me in the future.

– "Books", 5th Grader

My dream job includes STEM, so what I learned at STARBASE will help me in the future.

– "Books", 5th Grader

I learned a lot! Not just the content but also my students. I saw how they learn by being hands on, and that brought out some strengths I hadn't seen in some of my students before.

Teacher, Cannon Falls

This experience made the learning come alive for them!

Teacher, Willow Lane

I want to challenge myself more in school and out of school. I like science even more.

"Sunny", 5th Grader

I'm always excited to bring my students to STARBASE. We have a lot of 5th graders this year who really struggle in the classroom, so I was excited to come here to see how well they would thrive in the STARBASE environment. STARBASE has an amazing way of engaging students with math and science, and it has been so fun as an educator to see my struggling learners engaged with high value curriculum.

Teacher, University Avenue Elemetary

At the start of STARBASE, I did not want to have a STEM career, but now I am very interested in that being part of my career. STARBASE is something that I really enjoyed, and I would totally come back! I want to thank my instructor for being the best ever!

"1989" 5th Grader

I was inspired to learn about science and engineering because I was never really good at those two. I learned so much more in STARBASE about STEM in these 5 days than I would have learned in school in a month! I just wanted to tell how much of a difference you made in how I felt about STEM.

"Ella", 5th Grader

Could not have asked for a better week. Students applied their new learning in meaningful ways. Science, math, technology all integrated seamlessly in great learning experiences.

Teacher, University Avenue Elementary

I learned more STEM on the first day at STARBASE than I ever have before.

-"Aly", 5th Grader

I am inspired to learn more about space and Mars because on the first day I was not really excited and didn't want to learn about Mars, but once we got more into it, I go so interested and amazed.

"Vermillion", 5th Grader

STARBASE encouraged me to start coding again and STARBASE helped me get back into it.

-"Cheerleader", 5th Grader

Students' ability to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting and curriculum is incredibly valuable. The equipment at STARBASE (Ozobots, rockets, AR/VR, 3D printers) aren't found in every school, so this enables students to gain exposure to unique (and fun!) STEM equipment.

Parent

I hope every student will get to enjoy this experience just like I did.

-"Celestial", 5th Grader

STARBASE helped my students get excited for a potential future in STEM. My students are able to see their success at STARBASE and then feel more confident in their abilities in STEM. They have been exploring different careers and current events related to STEM outside of their time at STARBASE and are more excited to do STEM activities in the classroom!

Teacher, University Avenue Elementary

My students loved it, we had an ice storm that I thought could have prevent some students from attending. 100% attendance even on that day. That to me means that every student (and parent) wanted to be here. That is huge.

Teacher, Saint Andrews

With respect to science, this is the most engaged I have ever seen my students.

Teacher, Willow Lane

I loved getting to launch my rocket. I love exploring science. I love STARBASE!

"Lunar", 5th Grader

I have never ever seen the kids more excited to learn about science.

Parent, Monroe Elementary

I’m excited to go on from this and tell people about this experience. I really do wish that you could do this every single year! I have learned a bunch and I have had a bunch of fun here at STARBASE!

"Taylor", 5th Grader

I had a bunch of fun. It made me think I want to do more STEM jobs or some STEM projects now at school or home. This was for sure a field trip I won’t forget.

"Billy Jo", 5th Grader

I want to learn more about STEM, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and also STEM careers. STARBASE has made me way more interested in STEM and made me ask questions.

"Jelly" 5th Grader

This was WONDERFUL! I truly loved my experience. STARBASE Instructors made me excited about teaching science!

STEM Coordinator, Evergreen Park STEM School

I saw some students that struggle at school SHINE at STARBASE! The differentiation was commendable, I felt like this week was professional development for me!

Teacher, Birch Lake Elementary

I am very happy and excited to learn more about STEM. It will change my life in ways I cannot imagine. My instructor has helped me to understand things in a different way and I am really happy about that. THANK YOU STARBASE!

"Star Berry", 5th Grader

I liked giving commands to the robots and launching rockets! STARBASE was the best place I have ever been!

-"CR-7", 5th Grader

I used to think that STEM was boring and that it was worthless in a job that I would want to do in my future, but STARBASE turned my whole perspective around and now I want to be a food scientist. I think that STARBASE was so fun and a great learning experience.

"Panda", 5th Grader

STARBASE was really a once in a lifetime opportunity.

-"Marvel", 5th Grader

I find the blended use of technology for learning and engagement and the high energy of the staff are the most valuable aspects of STARBASE.

Teacher, Crossroads Elementary

They engaged scholars directly in discussion about various topics, meeting them where they were at. Very well designed for all learners.

Teacher, Sojourner Truth Academy

The hands on, project/experience based learning has been great for all the varied learners in my classroom regardless of their academic ability.

Teacher, Evergreen Park STEM School

I am inspired to follow my dream of becoming a mathematician for NASA!

"Phoenix", 5th Grader

STARBASE provided students the opportunity to think about global problems and taught them problem solving strategies. Showing them career related videos and integrating them into the day helped students to improve their awareness of what they can do to create a better and more peaceful world.

Teacher, XinXing Elementary

My STARBASE instructor made math easy!

-"Snow", 5th Grader

I would describe STARBASE as fun, engaging, and challenging. Many of our students were highly encouraged by the instructor to persevere in the high rigor of the curriculum.

Teacher, Birch Lake

I was very impressed that each day at STARBASE, the activities were engaging for the students, they were excited about the activities, and learned so much!

Teacher, Castle Elementary

My expectations would blown out of the water. They did a fantastic job. It taught me so much about my students abilities and skills I don't think I otherwise would have seen without this experience.

Teacher, Frost Lake

My expectations were exceeded. The students were hands-on, engaged, using teamwork, creativity, STEM, and perseverance every day. They had a great experience and I loved getting to see my students in this way.

Teacher, North Park

The AR we used was really life changing.

-"Dr. Strange", 5th Grader

I’m good at STEM now. This was very fun. The week was the coolest! I wish I could do this again.

"Quoia", 5th Grader

STARBASE made me more curious about science and want to do more creative things.

– "Little Coke", 5th Grader

I want to be a STARBASE Instructor when I grow up.

-"Owl", 5th Grader

The staff and curriculum are fantastic, the activities are really fun, and the students get to use a variety of software and technology that they aren't normally exposed to, like using different types of robots, playing around with CAD software, and building their own rockets.

Teacher, Emerson Elementary

It was inspiring to see the robots, knowing they were built by a person.

-"Jewel", 5th Grader

I learned so much at STARBASE, and I know I can do more.

"RDVFury", 5th Grader

STARBASE is the best place I have ever been! If I could, I would stay here forever!

– "Mad-Dash", 5th Grader

STARBASE taught me more about STEM and convinced me that I would like to have a career in STEM.

-"Char", 5th Grader

I really want to learn more about space and rockets. Thank you all so much for this super fun experience. I normally don't like school, but this was super fun, thank you again.

"Nite Bite", 5th Grader

The ability for every students to see themselves and scientists and engineers is very powerful. It was nice to see all the students take risks and show agency in their learning.

Teacher, Loring Elementary

STARBASE Minnesota, Inc. is a non-federal entity. It is not part of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota National Guard, the National Guard Bureau, or the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.