WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote an op-ed for the Pensacola News Journal on the need for a Science Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation Space Exploration (STARBASE) Program for families at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, which will help provide children of servicemembers additional education options and opportunities to succeed.

In the op-ed, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote, “Every student in this country deserves access to a high-quality education, especially when it comes to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields that are integral to countless American jobs. In particular, we owe active-duty military parents, who juggle raising children and their service to the nation each day, the opportunity to provide their kids with strong academic programs.

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A STARBASE Program would serve as a first step to improve educational outcomes in Escambia and go a long way to offering children at NAS Pensacola high-quality academic programs in STEM. After all, access to a high-quality STEM education can be life-changing.

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It would also help to motivate local students by strengthening relationships between the installation and surrounding communities. In partnership with the National Naval Aviation Academy and Escambia County School District, NAS Pensacola aims to enroll approximately 1,500 students annually, including many underrepresented in STEM.

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It’s past time to give our nation’s servicemembers – and their children – the opportunities they deserve.”

Read the full op-ed in the Pensacola News Journal HERE.

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