Operation SeaPerch Teaches Engineering and Science to Local Students

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

10.03.2019

Story by Robert Palomares 

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division

By Robert Palomares, NSWC PHD Public Affairs
Twenty students from local Ventura County schools designed, built and operated small submersible remotely operated vehicles during a summer program designed to ignite a love for science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.
The students, targeted by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD)’s Office of Technology for future careers in the science and engineering fields, enthusiastically took up the challenge known as Operation SeaPerch after school during the summer, said Ramon Flores, the command’s STEM coordinator.
The six-week project brought students from the Oxnard Boys and Girls Club together to build the ROVs.
“We taught them to cut the PVC pipes, put them together, solder components, connect electronics and assemble the electric motor circuits,” Flores said.
The 20 students were split into five teams so every student had a hands-on experience building and operating the ROVs.
“When they saw their vehicles actually operating in the water, their eyes lit up,” he added. “I never get tired of that.”
NSWC PHD interns, working in the OOT, helped as mentors and to inspire the students to enter STEM programs.
James Powers, OOT’s lab manager, said the program is a great way to get the students into the pre-engineering pipeline.
“Through this program, they can get into STEM majors in high school and college, intern here and possibly get a job here,” he said. “Programs like this one can spark interest in a student who was not considering a STEM major.”
The program targets students underrepresented in the STEM workforce—including women, African-American and Hispanic students, Flores said.
“We want them to consider the sciences and engineering areas of study, and we think that programs like this will attract them,” he added. “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

• Date Taken: 10.03.2019
• Date Posted: 10.03.2019 14:27
• Story ID: 345825
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US