Bringing STEM disciplines to school

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Naval Surface Warfare Center and Navy Experimental Diving Unit civilian and military personnel devoted their off time Jan. 30 with 45 elementary and middle school students at Girls Inc. to demonstrate a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) type jobs the Navy does in Panama City. The students were divided into groups and experienced hands-on displays and activities mentored by scientists and engineers from various STEM disciplines. Paige George, NSWC’s STEM outreach programs manager, says that interacting with students at the earliest level of education is critical. “It is up to us to get young people excited about STEM” and set them on a path to degree programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in case they’re interested in various military or civil service careers within the Defense Department. Myranda Chapman, a scientist at NSWC, felt compelled to serve at the event to demonstrate the fun, importance, and “relatable ways to use math” as a positive influence on a student’s perspective, especially females. Chapman designed a ‘Princess vs. Villains’ war game exercise to show students training techniques that Navy surface warfare users implement through decision- making processes, as well as understanding the significance of the fleet-like training. (Source: NSWC 01/30/19)