(CRANE) – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) hosted over 500 students on Thursday, September 26 at WestGate Academy and Conferencing Center in Odon, Ind. for its fall STEM Day. This open-house style event, targeted to middle school and high school students, included hands-on demonstrations from NSWC Crane employees while also highlighting mission area capabilities.
An event of this magnitude expands the reach of Crane’s STEM program into a comprehensive day, with the goal of educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“Events like these help students get a clear visualization of where you can go with a STEM education,” said Tina Closser, head of NSWC Crane’s STEM program. “Hosting an open house allows students to participate in interactive activities alongside current Crane engineers.”
Students were able to learn directly from subject matter experts (SMEs) in each of NSWC Crane’s mission areas: Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions, and Electronic Warfare. Through multiple demonstrations, students learned about Radio Frequency (RF) jamming and image tracking, using recordings of Spock and a makeshift Hot Wheels track, respectively. NSWC Crane is a national technical leader in these areas, and STEM Day gives students access to this expertise.
“The demonstrations provide a unique opportunity for students to take what they learn in the classroom and see STEM concepts applied in a fun and engaging way. Students involved in our STEM programs now will be the scientists and engineers solving the future Warfighter’s toughest challenges,” Closser added.
Crane STEM programs have reached more than 11,000 students and 100 teachers and 30 schools already in 2019.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s Warfighter.
