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Program Overview |
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWCIH) is committed to enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in area schools to provide students and educators with real-world examples of classroom lessons. The Education Outreach Office was established in June 2007 at NSWCIH to mobilize efforts to place engineers and scientists in area classrooms to provide students with hands-on, real-world experiences to reinforce classroom lessons and inspire students to pursue STEM careers. The office facilitates collaboration between scientists, engineers, technical artisans, and teachers to create unique programs or to assist educators in other classroom events. NSWCIH is the largest employer in Charles County. |
Site Coordinator
Thomas Palathra
thomas.palathra@navy.mil
| Assistant Site Coordinator
Heather Zdobysz
heather.zdobysz.ctr@navy.mil |
Public Affairs Coordinator
Walter Pannick
walter.pannick.ctr@navy.mil |
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Community Snapshot |
Charles County Public Schools is one of the fastest-growing school systems in Maryland. Charles County, with a population of 133,049, is located in southern Maryland and is considered part of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Elementary schools include students from prekindergarten to grade five; middle schools have students from sixth to eighth grade; and high schools serve students in grades nine through twelve.
Charles County Public Schools is composed of 39 schools and educational centers:
- 21 elementary schools
- 8 middle schools
- 6 high schools
- 4 centers:
- F.B. Gwynn Educational Center
- Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
- Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Center
- Adult Education Program at Lifelong Learning Center
Charles County Schools has a total enrollment of 26,779 students.
St. Mary's County Public Schools, with nearly 17,000 students, is the largest educator in the community adjacent to Patuxent River. The NSWCIH's outreach program supports the STEM academies in 5th through 7th grades at Lexington Park Elementary and Spring Ridge Middle. Other schools are supported as well for tours and classroom presentations. In neighboring Calvert County, the NSWCIH supports their growing STEM program and after-school robotics initiatives. The NSWCIH has education-partnership agreements with private nonprofit schools and has agreements in place with Father Andrew White, King's Christian Academy, St. John's, Mother Catherine Spalding, and St. Mary's Ryken High School.
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Outreach Activities |
In-School Robotics: The original in-school program was "Save the Chesapeake Bay" (see manual). In spring 2010 we changed the theme to "Math in Real Life." NSWCCD and NSWCIHD are in the process of developing a new theme based on the BP oil spill and it will be called "Rescue the Gulf." Each robotic session (spring and fall) ends with a culminating event in which all 5th- and 7th-grade teams compete against each other in the following categories: robotics, teamwork, technical, research, and bean-bag launcher.
Robotics Summer Camp: This session will be modeled after the in-school robotics program. The summer program is a one-week event that takes place in Charles, St. Mary's, and Prince George's counties.
WeDo Robotics: The NSWCIH NDEP team has implemented a program for third-graders throughout Charles and parts of St. Mary's County schools. Designed for ages 7-11+, WeDo engages children in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics, social studies, and language concepts.
Sea-Perch Underwater Robots: The program is designed to teach students how to build underwater robots and will be implemented after school in select middle and high schools. SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers) is one of the supporting organizations for the Sea Perch program; additional organizations and corporations are supporting the initiative as well. The program was developed by the MIT Sea Grant College Program.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Field Trip is awarded to the top two teams at each competition. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) fights for bold and creative solutions to the pollution that plagues the Bay and its tributaries. Across the six-state Chesapeake watershed, CBF sets the agenda, serves as a watchdog, and speaks out on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay to business, government, and the public. CBF's environmental-education program introduces residents to the wonders of the watershed and works to heighten sensitivity, increase knowledge, and empower citizens to take positive action toward the Bay's restoration.
The Indian Head NDEP staff also gives assistance at the Patriot Summer Camps. "Empowering Students Through Technology" has been the Patriot Technology Center's mission for 12 years (5th to 12th grades) by increasing the number of students entering science, mathematics, engineering, and computer technology leading to college education and career paths in those interrelated fields. Over the years they have partnered with some of the major technology, government entities, and foundations to support our mission.
Helping and supporting First Lego League (FLL): Thanks to a variety of supporters, the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program has grown into one of the largest science and technology programs globally, with more than 140,000 children in 56 countries around the world participating in the 2009 season. FLL has a number of financial sponsors that make the program possible. We also work with operational partners who run the program in their region. Thousands more show their support by signing up as team coaches, mentors, or volunteers at tournaments.
science fairs.
In addition, the NSWCIH NDEP team supports and judges local science fairs and presents at career days, answering questions for local students.
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Photos |
View images
from our most recent event held. (Click thumbnails to view)
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