Naval STEM News
Read the latest news stories about Naval STEM.
News From The Field
NMCSD’s VolunTEEN Summer Program Continues to Succeed
SAN DIEGO, Ca – Naval Medical Center San Diego’s 2024 VolunTEEN program concluded with two graduation ceremonies July 10-11 with much praise from both parents and participants.
“The VolunTEEN Summer Program brings teens ages 14-17 to the command, giving them the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and learn about military medicine,” said Lt. Amanda Peeler, a Physical Therapist at NMCSD and Mission Viejo, Calif. native. “They participate in medical simulations in the Simulation Center, learn to make splints in the Orthopedics cast room, create a video in the production room, learn to suture, and many other activities that bring life to health care and science careers.”
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS), AmeriCorps Partnership on STEM Outreach, School Liaison
AmeriCorps VISTA is a program that places full-time national service members in nonprofit and public agencies to build capacity and sustainability in support of alleviating poverty in the United States. Two AmeriCorps VISTA members will be recruited to serve in partnership with the PNS STEM Outreach Program and the installation’s Military School Liaison Officer. Both projects will support underserved and economically disadvantaged youth in the Seacoast and surrounding area.
CNAL RETURNS TO JROTC FLIGHT ACADEMY GRADUATION AT ECSU
ELIZABETH CITY, NC – Rear Adm. John Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, returned for a second year to attend the graduation of 16 Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) high school students in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, July 31.
The 16 high school students spent most of the summer attending flight school to graduate from an eight-week Flight Academy offered at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). There are 24 universities that participate in the JROTC scholarship program that recognizes a unique collaboration with the Department of Navy and Air Force to help address the nation’s pilot shortage.
MCSC’S ROBOTICS-THEMED STEM CAMP ENGAGES AND INSPIRES LOCAL YOUT
MARINE CORPS BASE Quantico, Va – Last week, 46 local students gathered at Quantico Middle High School aboard MCB Quantico, Va., for the 14th edition of MCSC’s Summer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—or STEM– Camp.
The weeklong camp, centered around the theme of robotics, provided students who are rising 6th-9th graders with a stimulating environment to explore this fascinating—and critical— field. Working closely with teachers and MCSC team members, participants engaged in constructing Lego robots with functional arms and navigated a series of challenges using block programming. This immersive experience not only enhanced their problem-solving skills and creativity but also provided a thorough introduction to robotics and programming—skills vital for equipping the Marine Corps with advanced technological capabilities.
Recognizing STEM Education Impact Since 2007: Cantu Named Honorary Seabee
“It was an incredible honor and a total surprise,” said Cantu. “I am so honored to be recognized for doing what I love. The rewards are always greater than the effort as I learn as much from the campers as they do. I’ve benefitted from an extraordinary high school chemistry teacher who pushed forward my career in engineering and in turn motivated me to drive inspiration to the next generation of engineers.”
Cantu was recognized for her selfless dedication leading the Navy’s Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Construction Camps for SAME since 2007.
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Cetacean Celebration: ONR Sponsors Family-Friendly Dolphin Workshops in South Carolina
WEST BETHESDA, Md – Thousands of wildlife lovers learned about the lives and health of dolphins during workshops sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) — in partnership with the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF).
The interactive events — titled “Dolphin Doctor: On the Front Lines of Marine Mammal Medicine” — occurred during the recent Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) in Charleston, South Carolina. ONR funded the workshops through the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) efforts of its Warfighter Performance Department. Approximately 3,400 people attended..
Naval STEM News
Mighty Mentorship: NAVY Civilian Employee Wins DOD STEM Advocacy Award
ARLINGTON, Va. – Growing up in Del Rio, Texas, a small town located on the U.S.-Mexico border, Juan Lafuente attended a high school that was short on resources but rich in caring, dedicated teachers — resulting in strong math and science programs.
Lafuente’s physics teacher, Mr. Francisco, was a powerful proponent of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and pushed his students to excel in such subjects. Seeing a similar passion in Lafuente, Mr. Francisco helped him apply and earn acceptance to summer engineering enrichment programs at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University.
2023 NAVAL HORIZONS CONTEST SEES GREATEST NUMBER OF WINNERS YET
ARLINGTON, Va.— The results are in for the recent Naval Horizons student essay contest. The organizer — the Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Naval STEM Coordination Office, which is located at the Office of Naval Research — is excited about the growth of the contest since its premiere several years ago.
In the 2023 Naval Horizons, 827 students were awarded a $200 cash prize each, the contest’s largest winner pool yet.
Naval Horizons is a STEM educational video series comprising more than 45 videos highlighting scientists and engineers, including active-duty military personnel, working within the DoN.
Under The Sea: Students and Robotics at Seaperch
Outside the University of Maryland’s (UMD) recreation center, teams of students laugh and talk excitedly with one another. Once inside, though, discussions are limited to commands and instructions for students competing in RoboNation’s International SeaPerch Challenge, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
STEM Celebration: DoN Promotes Student Outreach at Navy League STEM Expo
ARLINGTON, Va.—Science and technology enthusiasts were treated to a day of educational fun at the recent Navy League STEM Expo, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The free event gave local students the opportunity to engage and be inspired by all things STEM — or science, technology, engineering and math. It also enabled them to learn about the newest iteration of the Naval Horizons student essay contest — organized by the Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Naval STEM Coordination Office, located at the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
‘Keep Asking Questions’: High School STEM Researchers Celebrated At NJSHS
Looking out at the audience of more than 200 high school students, Dr. Bindu Nair exhorted them to sustain their passion and curiosity for all things STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) — and to continue to ask questions, no matter how strange.
Prize-Winning Prose: Naval STEM Launches New Version of Naval Horizons Essay Contest
The Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Naval STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program has gone live with the newest iteration of its Naval Horizons student essay contest for high school and college students.
Naval Horizons is a STEM educational video series from the DoN’s Naval STEM Coordination Office, located at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It is a collection of more than 45 videos highlighting scientists and engineers, including active-duty military personnel, working within the DoN. It aims to broaden the awareness of real-world science and technology challenges facing the Navy and Marine Corps today and help illuminate the many pathways to STEM careers.
Diverse Perspectives: Naval STEM Touts Outreach Programs at DoD STEM Event
Looking back on his experiences in medical school, and while serving as a practicing specialist in orthopedic medicine, Lt. Cmdr. Marvin Dingle — an orthopedic surgeon at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland — recalled how he didn’t encounter many other African Americans in his field of study.