New Jersey Students Join The Air Force For Science Classes They'll Never Forget

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Students in New Jersey got a science lesson that they will never forget on Thursday.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, Joint Base Mcguire-Dix-Lakehurst welcomed a group of young minds on base for more than just a tour.

"It's important for them to know we do more than just fly planes," Air Force Captain Elizabeth Welch said.

It was way more than show and tell. It was a hands on experience for high school students who got a behind the scenes look at the military.

Patrick Dembrowski from Manchester Twp High School played pilot in the cockpit of a C-17 aircraft.

"After you complete pilot training, get 200 hours of flying, then you could possibly move on to this airplane the C-17. It takes 3-and-a-half months of training before you can fly this aircraft," David Miller said.

Debrowski has high hopes for the future.

"I've learned the normal control, the stick here, the thing the engine controls," he said, "I would like to go into the Air Force."

The day is part of the STEM initiative which stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math, all showcased on base with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

"Showcase not only the mission, but the capabilities and technology we use on a daily basis," Captain Welch said.

Catapults taught students to work as a team and launch a mini marshmallow the furthest.

"Some of them are taking classes that involve engineering, some science," Marjon Weber said.

The officers who run the joint base said they are always looking for the best and the brightest.