Senator Marshall Leads Letter to Champion STARBASE Education Program for Kansas Students

Salina, KS – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) led a bipartisan letter requesting full funding for the U.S. Department of Defense’s STARBASE program for fiscal year 2026. Senator Marshall has long been an advocate for the STARBASE programs, which provide unique, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities for elementary and middle school students in Kansas.

In their letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, the Senators wrote:

“Located on military bases, STARBASE programs utilize military personnel as role models and leverage their expertise to provide students with exposure to real-world STEM applications and careers.

“This collaboration provides students with not just technical knowledge but also a sense of patriotism and pride, which is unique compared to other federal STEM programs. Given the growing emphasis on a high-tech future, programs like STARBASE are essential in preparing students for the workforce. Importantly, this program also plays a pivotal role in bolstering relationships between the DOD and local communities, assuring access to military installations while fostering awareness of military culture.” 

Click here to read the full letter.

“STARBASE Kansas, operated by the Kansas National Guard, offers an unparalleled STEM experience that unlocks potential in ways traditional classrooms cannot,” said Major General Michael Venerdi, the Kansas Adjutant General. “We’re fostering critical thinking and igniting a passion for innovation that will empower our students to become the leaders of tomorrow.” 

“The Kansas STARBASE, Inc. board is delighted by the bipartisan commitment to our youth, not only through the five Kansas STARBASE locations but also across more than 80 STARBASE sites nationwide,” said Briar Conner, STARBASE Board President. “As the non-profit organization for Kansas STARBASE, we are enthusiastic about this recognition of STEM-based learning experiences for children and the support for STARBASE staff.” 

Click here to learn more about the STARBASE program.

Joining Senator Marshall on the letter are Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Christopher Murphy (D-Connecticut), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia), James Risch (R-Idaho), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Oregon), Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Margaret Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Adam Schiff (D-California), Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan).

Background:

• Kansas is home to five different STARBASE sites located in Salina, Manhattan, Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.
• The program serves more than 8,000 Kansas school children each year, many from low-income and disadvantaged communities.  

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