EODMU 12 Participates in STEM Day for Students

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kay Savarese, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) participated in the Portsmouth Public Schools Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Day event held at Woodrow Wilson High School March 31.

Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 provided students, and their families, an opportunity to view and interact with Navy EOD equipment and robots at the event.

"We're out here to show students electronics they wouldn't see on a daily basis and allow them to get hands-on with it," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 3rd Class Timothy Brenan. "It's good for us to come out to these events and work with the community and students to introduce them to some of the technology we have in the Navy."

EOD displayed Navy tools and electronics critical to the detection and disposal of explosives including a portable X-ray unit, water disruption charges, the MK II Talon robot, and the PackBot transportable robotic system.

The STEM education program holds events like this to promote a journey of learning through education and to inspire students to pursue STEM-related careers. The program focuses on teaching students of all grade levels the importance of STEM in school and how their participation can lead to exciting and rewarding careers.

The Navy's involvement provides inspiration and a reason for students to stay in school and study higher-level mathematics and sciences by offering an insider's view of a career option available to children in Portsmouth, said Laura Nelson, director of science education for Portsmouth public schools.

"The Navy gives us a tremendous amount of support in human equity, time and expertise," said Nelson. "They provide the program with valuable mentors."

The event hosted a number of informational booths and exhibits, interactive laboratories, creative activities, and robot competitions for students to participate in.

EODMU 12 provides deployable forces for expeditionary and combat EOD operations that conduct detection and demolition of hazardous ordnance in support of Navy, joint and coalition forces.