About Wyoming STARBASE Academy
Wyoming STARBASE Academy is a Department of Defense Youth Program operated in partnership with the Wyoming National Guard and Wyoming Military Department since 1994. It is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Raper Armory, but prior to that, it was located at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base.
This premier educational program serves, free of charge, fifth-grade public, private, and home-school students in Laramie County, Wyoming. Through team-work, students participate in challenging “hands-on, mind-on” activities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students also interact with military personnel to explore careers and make connections with the “real world”. The program provides students with 20-25 hours of exemplary instruction, using a common core curriculum that meets or exceeds the national standards. Wyoming STARBASE activities include several hands-on science labs, activities centered on the Engineering Design Process, mapping activities with maps specifically designed for the STARBASE Program by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, designing and launching straw rockets, and working with the CREO Elements/Pro Computer-Aided Drafting software, a software program used by several of the nation’s leading manufacturing companies.
The academy is dedicated to assisting students from all backgrounds in pursuing STEM careers.
Mission
To expose our nation’s youth to the technological environments and positive civilian and military experiences that encourage them to explore STEM education and careers through hands-on instruction and activities that meet or exceed the National Standards.
Vision
Educating the Workforce of the Future!
Goals
Provide outreach opportunities for students in Wyoming.
Network and collaborate with other STEM organizations and attend STEM-related professional development sessions.
Adhere to DoD and DoD STARBASE curriculum and goals.
Increase and expand community involvement by increasing the number of sponsors, partners, and volunteers, both in the community and within the military.
Wyo. STARBASE Academy Staff
Michelle “Aurora” McCormack
Michelle “Aurora” McCormack was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Her first two years teaching were in Fort Morgan, Co. Missing her home state, Michelle moved back to Wyoming and taught in Laramie. While teaching, Michelle completed graduate school with Walden University receiving her Masters of Science in Education with Elementary Reading and Literacy as her focal point. Michelle moved east of Cheyenne after 4 years at Albany County School District 1 and taught in Laramie County School District 2. During her 16 years teaching, Michelle was a Literacy Interventionist, an Instructional Facilitator, a Literacy Coach, and taught everything between 1st and 4th grades. Michelle became an Education Advocate with Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom where she helped create and facilitate virtual, hybrid, and in-person courses for Wyoming teachers. She also supported the implementation of Wyo Wonders, a Wyoming based elementary curriculum. Michelle has presented at a number of conferences including The Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference, The Native American Education Conference, and TeacherCon, to name a few. As the Director of the Wyoming STARBASE Academy, Michelle is enjoying experiencing STEM instruction in action and watching excitement on the faces of the students. In addition to her love of education, Michelle enjoys spending time with her friends and family, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, listening to audiobooks, and playing trucks with her son.
Matt "Gamma" Latus
Matt “Gamma” Latus was born and raised in Green Bay, WI (GO PACK GO!) where he taught High School Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science) for 8 years before moving to Rochester, MN, where he spent an additional 11 years teaching High School Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science). Matt graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Matt added a minor in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2005 after he changed his career from the laboratory to one in education. Matt now lives in Colorado but he is happy to have found a home at Wyoming STARBASE Academy! In addition to his love for science and the Green Bay Packers, Matt enjoys spending time outside, following many sports, watching and attending auto races, reading comic books, and watching scary movies.
Kimberley Welker
Kimberley "Dorothy" was raised in Texas, but moved to Colorado at the beginning of high school. Kim graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with endorsements in Reading and Special Education. A few years later, she went and got her endorsement in Secondary (7-12) Social Studies Education. She has taught in Colorado for the entire 9 years of her teaching career; one year teaching first grade and the other 8 teaching 5th-8th grade Social Studies. Kimberley is now living in Wyoming alongside her family and is happy to have found a home away from home at STARBASE Academy! She loves everything that STEM and STARBASE has to offer to the local 5th graders and hopes that they enjoy their time here! Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crocheting, reading and watching/cheering on some of her favorite sports teams; the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies and the Texas Rangers.
Kristi Rodekohr
Kristi "Piper" brings over 30 years of office experience to our team. She began her career as a Data Technician for the Goshen County Headstart program before becoming the Municipal Court Clerk for the City of Torrington. Prior to moving to Cheyenne, she worked as a para-professional at Pine Bluffs Elementary in Pine Bluffs, WY. For the past 10 years, she has been working at a local utility company. Outside of work, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband, Carl, and their four children: Laine, Wyatt, Scott, and Shae. She loves golfing, traveling, and exploring new places. Kristi has been impressed with the STARBASE program since her children attended over 12 years ago. She feels blessed for this opportunity to work at STARBASE, recognizing it as a worthwhile program that exposes students to STEM in exciting and fun ways.
Kymberlie "Rubble" Sutton
Kymberlie “Rubble” Sutton grew up in Cheyenne, graduating from South High School. She graduated from Chadron State College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education. She has been working with kids her whole life from babysitting to teaching swimming lessons, to teaching in a classroom. She has experienced teaching in SPED classrooms, 3 rd and 5 th grade, and teaching online for grades k-6.She has had the opportunity to attend STARBASE as a student, as a 5 th grade teacher, and now as a STARBASE Instructor, seeing the lessons from different perspectives. She is passionate about teaching and helping kids learn new things every day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 sons, and 2 dogs at home or outside, reading, or crocheting.
CONTACT US
Wyoming STARBASE Academy
Raper Armory, 5410 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009
(307) 777.8191 – Phone
(307) 777.8190 – Fax
michelle.mccormack@wyo.gov