USNA SAME Camp
POSTED ON: Friday, July 2, 2021 2:00 PM by Christine Maceo
The STEM Center, with the USNA Office of Admissions, designed, implemented and hosted a virtual, but hands-on and real-time, Engineering and Construction Camp on behalf of the Society of American Military Engineers. The virtual USNA SAME Camp was held as an alternative to the regular SAME Camps hosted by the Air Force Academy (CO), the Air Force (Scott Air Force Base, IL) and the (Port Hueneme, CA), which were canceled due to COVID restrictions. USNA STEM perpetuated the SAME STEM message with a rigorous experience in engineering and construction, incorporating hands-on, content-based activities into a collaborative and competitive environment. The curriculum was led by USNA faculty members and assisted by SAME mentors, who are professional engineers, military personnel and STEM educators committed to inspiring young students to pursue a STEM career.
Pursuant to the SAME focus on engineering, the USNA SAME Camp encompassed six two-hour sessions exploring different aspects of engineering and technology: Electricity and Logic Gates (Prof. Charles Nelson), Buoyancy and Hydraulics (Profs. Mark Murray and Beth Waitkus), Cryptography and Programming (Prof. Chris Brown), Structures (Prof. Samar Malek) and Industrial Engineering (Prof. Christine Maceo). Engineering design and directed build activities were incorporated into each session by Capt. Joe McGettigan.
Fifty-two high school students from all regions of the US participated in the week-long USNA SAME Camp. A supply list was provided to all registered campers several weeks prior to the camp so that they could fully participate in the engineering sessions and interact with their SAME mentors. TAD Ensigns Jocelyn Sosa, Alexa Jacquitte, Ed Gomez, Gio Pichardo and Jaxon Harris guided the students and mentors through the camp schedule and provided logistical support.
SAME, ONR and the Naval Academy Foundation provided sponsorship for this student program, which has a high attendance rate from military dependents.
Category: General Interest