News Article Release

Maryland Students Experience STEM at Naval Academy

July 3, 2012

By MC2 Alexia Riveracorrea

A group of 19 high school students participating in the Maryland Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement program visited the U.S. Naval Academy July 3 to tour laboratory spaces and take part in science-related activities.

Maryland MESA is a precollege program designed to prepare students for academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

During the summer, the program partners with local universities and industry organizations to offer hands-on activities and research experiences at different locations throughout the state.

“It’s all part of the STEM learning process and what we offer here in terms of outreach to the local community, as well as students across the country,” said academy mechanical engineering Professor Angela Moran.

While at the academy, the students toured spaces in the Chemistry, Oceanography and Physics Departments.

“My experience at the Naval Academy has been really good. They have really cool things, and just the way they present it and talk about it makes me interested in their programs and the Navy,” said student Michelle Alade.

The group also participated in a bioterrorism simulation, discussing what happens at the scene of a bioterrorist attack and how the Center for Disease Control would respond to it.

“It’s been really interesting, because I haven’t seen anything like this before,” said student Orlando Davis. “It’s very high tech.”

For more information on Maryland MESA, visit www.jhuapl.edu/mesa/home.

For more information on Maryland MESA, visit www.usna.edu/STEM.