USNA News Article
Naval Academy STEM Program December News Highlights
December 12, 2012
From the USNA STEM Office
Q&A With MSTEM President Midshipman 1st Class Eric Emerling
Q: What is MSTEM?
A: The MSTEM extracurricular is the organization involved in creating interest in and opportunities for midshipmen within the Brigade to perform STEM outreach to younger students. While some of the programs are aimed towards candidates interested in attending the Naval academy or other service academies, many are simply for younger students who may not otherwise get the opportunity to experience what the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has to offer.
Q: What STEM activities have you participated in?
A: I have participated in SeaPerch building, both with students and training other educators. I worked with the local Young Engineers and Scientists program in Annapolis. For the past two summers I have been involved in running the Summer STEM program held at USNA. In September of 2012, I was able to attend the Czech-U.S. Sustainable Energy Conference in Prague, where I met the current Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.
Q: Your favorite STEM activity?
A: My favorite activity was the Young Engineers and Scientists program held at local public schools in the Annapolis area. Going to these afterschool programs and watching these young students become excited about science is an amazing sight to see. I was able to work with the students, acting as a mentor and discussing how they can develop a passion for and a future in a STEM field.
Q: What has being part of the STEM program meant to you?
A: I have been given the opportunity to help both the local community and a larger audience across the nation. Witnessing first-hand the activities that are available to these students and how willing these students are to learning about new topics is incredible. I have been able to help the community and educate in a small way the future of the U.S. and the world. I only wish that I began volunteering and helping out with the STEM programs earlier. I recommend anyone interested in community service or the STEM fields participate in some capacity.
2012 Girls STEM Day
On October 12, 2012, USNA and ONR presented “Expanding Your Horizons,” a day-long conference consisting of hands-on workshops for middle school girls. The girls participated in interactive modules in astronomy, biometrics, computer simulation, computer engineering, engineering design, math, mechanical engineering, physics, medicine, dentistry, robotics, biology, and underwater exploration.
The goal was to encourage young women to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers by providing STEM role models and engaging activities for middle and high school girls. More than 25 female midshipmen and 30 female faculty, staff and officers participated as team leaders or module instructors.
The conference aimed to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21st Century challenges. Attendees were introduced to women scientists from the past and the present, including Admiral Grace Hopper, who opened the door to a world where women are able to work in all STEM fields, and Sally Ride, the first woman in space. Present-day female scientists and engineers spoke on their careers and what steps they took to get there.
The closing session was a time for the girls to debrief and think about opportunities and goals and answer the question: What do I want to be?
For more news from the Naval Academy STEM office, visit www.usna.edu/STEM.
