Warfare Centers Scientists and Engineers Mentor Students During National Lab Day 2010

May 13, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) warfare centers scientists and engineers reached out to more than 2,500 students from kindergarten through high school across the country the second week of May in recognition of National Lab Day 2010.

National Lab Day, is a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support that will foster ongoing collaborations among volunteers, students and educators and encourage America's K-12 students to pursue education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"Fewer and fewer of America's young students are choosing to pursue their education and career in the fields of science, engineering and math," said Steve Mitchell, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) technical director. "It's critical to our national security that we do our part in mentoring America's youth and show them the exciting opportunities that await them in technical career fields."

NAVSEA Talent Management Strategy encourages educational partnerships to convince students to join the Navy's workforce. In support of National Lab Day, scientists and engineers from seven warfare centers helped foster student's interest in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields in a variety of events.

In partnership the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), NSWC Crane scientists and engineers helped facilitate Indiana's first Sea Perch Competition for more than 200 students from 11 area schools. Students were taught how to build an underwater robot (called a Sea Perch), construct a propulsion system, develop a controller and investigate weight and buoyancy. Students then had to navigate their robots through a series of obstacles and demonstrations in water. Additionally, approximately 130 senior high school calculus and physics students toured NSWC Crane to learn about real-world applications in military technology.

Thirty scientists and engineers from Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport conducted a full week of interactive activities for more than 210 students in nine local schools including science club activities, Sea Perch engineering club, and MATHCOUNTS demonstrations and competitions.

NSWC Carderock, NSWC Indian Head and Naval Air Warfare Center Patuxent River scientist and engineers hosted the Navy Spring In-School LEGO Robotics Event May 8 at North Point High School, Waldorf, Md. More than 250 5th and 7th grade students from Charles, St. Mary's and Montgomery Counties in Maryland competed to present research projects in robotics and environmental stewardship. Highlights included:

* Eleven NSWC Dahlgren scientists and engineers provided science and engineering in-classroom mentoring for more than 350 students in 19 schools across King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties in Va.

* Approximately 200 students participated in STEM events hosted at NSWC Panama City including tours of the experimental Seafighter ship, Landing Craft Air-Cushion vehicles, the command's fabrication shops and the Littoral Warfare Research Facility laboratory. They also had the opportunity to learn about NSWC Panama City counter Improvised Explosive Device capabilities and Mine Roller programs as well as speak to firefighters, Navy divers and Navy pilots assigned to NSWC Panama City and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

* NSWC Corona will interact with an anticipated 1,300 grade school students in a thermal imaging exhibit during "Space Day" at Longfellow Elementary in Riverside, Calilf., May 14.

"Our efforts to get the youngest students - down to the grade school level - interested and excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are a vital investment in the future of NUWC, the Navy, and the nation," said Donald McCormack, Technical Director of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.