STEM

STEM at USNA entails a different approach to recruiting and retaining technologists. We engage elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers in a wide variety of science and engineering activities, such as:

1. STEM Camps and Mini-Camps
   • Summer STEM Program - Applications for Summer STEM 2013 now available
   • Girls Experiencing Technology through Innovative Topics now available: 2013 Brochure
2. Science and engineering internships
3. Tours of USNA technical laboratories
4. Field trips by local schools to USNA to see science and engineering projects
5. Teacher Training
   • SET Sail Teacher Training 2013 Information and Application
   • SeaPerch/NOAA Ocean Exploration Workshop
6. Visits to local schools by USNA personnel to provide demos and displays
7. Science-fair judging
8. Career day visits
9. Competitions, contests, and showcases
   • Army-Navy Bridge Design Contest:
10. Midshipmen Outreach Activities
    • Midshipmen Teaching Science Follow the link to learn about a group of midshipmen, who dedicated their spring break to do hands on science activities with students at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
11. Faculty and Midshipmen Educational Initiatives
    • Using the Amazing Atmosphere to Foster Student Learning and Interest in Meteorology  Prof. Bradford Barrett and LCDR John Woods
    • Aquaculture Engineering Hands-On Education Model Prof. Cecilia Steppe, Carla Neal, Louise Wallendorf, Prof. Angela Moran, and Prof. Gwen Gray

These activities are meant to initiate interest and enthusiasm for STEM participation in academic and career choices, using the outstanding USNA resources as a foundation

Our unique approach is defined by a project based curriculum derived from our ABET and Middle States accredited engineering and science programs, focusing on current topics of faculty research, and using a pyramid structure with practicing technologists, educators, and mentors at the top.

For more information please contact Professor Angela Moran at amoran@usna.edu

New Happenings from the STEM Office

MESA Day at JHU APL Midshipmen Spotlight

On 19 November 2012 the STEM Office brought 45 midshipmen to Johns Hopkins University Advanced Physics Lab (JHU APL) to lead hands-on activities for elementary school students at a Maryland Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) day. It turns out that two of the midshipmen had previous experience with Maryland MESA. Watch the video below to learn about the impact of MESA on future scientists and engineers.

John Booth and Mac Phillips STEM Spotlight

Midshipman Rhyan Lange Represents the STEM Office

"Office of Naval Research (ONR) held a conference today October 22, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Virginia. I was lucky enough to volunteer to man the USNA STEM booth at this prestigious conference hosted by the director of ONR: RADM Klunder. Many visitors and exhibitors were intrigued by our USNA STEM booth. We had many STEM projects on display for them to play with. Every person who approached our booth had many questions extending from “how do your projects work?” to “how do you outreach to local schools in your area?” The best part of this experience was socializing with many different people. I was able to tell everyone about my experience with STEM that has included STEM camps, outreach programs, and internships. I was even lucky enough to tell my story to RADM Klunder and RADM White. Overall, I can say that today was a great day." MIDN Rhyan Lange at the ONR Naval Science and Technology Partnership Conference.

LCDR John Woods and MIDN Eric Emerling with the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy

USNA STEM Office was represented by LCDR John Woods and MIDN 1/C Eric Emerling at the Czech-U.S. Sustainable Energy Conference: “Innovation in Sustainable Energy” held in Prague at the Czernin Palace 20-21 September. They met with the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and provided a review of the USNA STEM programs and "STEM in a Box" Curriculum. The U.S. Naval Academy donated a STEM "starter kit" to the Czech Republic for students to gain hands-on experience in sustainable energy resources, like hydroelectric power, solar power, biomass, and biofuels. A Czech teacher was invited to participate in SET Sail, the USNA STEM Office workshop for teachers to engage in project based learning and best STEM classroom techniques. USNA attended in support of ONR STEM efforts.

The STEM Office is now on Facebook:

The USNA STEM Office is a proud official partner of the United States Science & Engineering Festival:

The Nifty Fifty (times 2) are 100 of the most dynamic scientists and engineers in the United States. They were selected for their unique ability to inspire the next generation of students to pursue careers in the STEM fields. They were chosen from among thousands of candidates nominated by over 500 leading professional science and engineering societies, universities, research institutions, government agencies, STEM education outreach organizations, and leading high tech and life science companies.