The first B STAR programs were held for 5 weeks during the summer of ’04. The focus of the Basic Science and Technology Academy of Research (B STAR) is to provide students with early exposure to the laws of physics and to give them the opportunity to learn how to build and troubleshoot computers. During the first portion of the day, the B STAR students participate in and conduct a series of hands-on physics experiments guided by a lab manual developed specifically for this program. The experiments are designed to lead the students on a path of discovery. The experience also includes competitive projects such as building 3-person cardboard boats for races in a local pool and building water bottle rockets designed to safely land an un-boiled egg.

Along with a facilitator, a computer-assisted program is utilized to help train the students on the dis-assembling and re-assembling of a computer. During the second part of the day the students learn to run the various diagnostic tests needed to ensure that the unit is working properly. Every student was allowed to keep the unit that they personally built. One of the most important aspects about the B STAR is that it is not based on a lecture series. Each student participates in classroom discussions that are driven by hands-on experiments.