Student interns complete Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprentice Program at NUWC Division Keyport

Photo By 1st Lt. Victoria Schaefer | 210805-N-AA999-001 KEYPORT, Wash. (Aug. 5, 2021) – Kevin Ryan, a student intern with the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP), works on a Remote Operated Vehicle, or ROV, at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport. Over the summer of 2021, students were assigned to work on various projects such as 3D modeling and printing, and building a hydrophone and ROV. (Photo courtesy Rayne Anderson/Released).  

KEYPORT, WA, UNITED STATES

09.03.2021

Story by Steven Fellows 

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport

Students in the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprentice Program, or SEAP, at NUWC Division Keyport, didn’t let nuisances, like COVID-19 ruin their summer plans.

Keyport hosted local high school students over the summer assigning them to projects, including 3D modeling and printing, building a hydrophone and remote operated vehicle, and other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics related tasks.

“The SEAP was an exciting opportunity to share Keyport’s technical opportunities to local Kitsap students interested in STEM careers and provide guidance for their future pursuits in higher education,” said Rayne Anderson, NUWC Keyport materials engineer. “I’m not alone in saying I hope the SEAP interns had an enriching experience working at Keyport that will bring them back to our workforce in the future to support the fleet and Keyport’s technical capabilities.”

With the pandemic still in effect during the 2021 program, students completed their internships virtually, on site (when following the applicable safety requirements), or a hybrid. Students who attended in person toured Keyport’s facilities and labs, and gained perspective on engineering teams in the Navy.

Kevin Ryan, a senior at Quileute Tribal School in La Push, Washington, participated on site.

“I focused on creating underwater robots. I also was able to 3D model a cleat, which is a tie down for a boat,” he said. “I learned a lot about 3D modelling and printing.”

Anderson said the SEAP benefits both the Navy and interns, like Ryan.

“Kevin’s work on building, calibrating, and operating a commercial off-the-shelf BlueRov directly supports Keyport’s test and evaluation efforts by ensuring we have a reliable method of visualizing how test vehicles perform underwater,” Anderson said.

Ryan said he was excited to apply to the SEAP while pursuing the opportunity for an engineering degree at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.

“This experience helped shape what I want to do in the future,” Ryan said. “I’m going into a different field of engineering because of this opportunity.”

There are more than 25 Navy laboratories across the U.S. participating in the Navy’s SEAP.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Some laboratories require a security clearance.

For more information, visit https://navalsteminterns.us/seap.

NUWC Keyport provides technical leadership, engineering expertise, and unique facility complexes that serve to ensure sustainment of undersea warfare superiority for the United States. As one of two divisions of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport’s mission is focused on developing and applying advanced technical capabilities to test, evaluate, field, and maintain undersea warfare systems and related defense assets. These advanced technical capabilities directly support the full spectrum of Navy undersea programs.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2021
• Date Posted: 09.07.2021 14:46
• Story ID: 404537
• Location: KEYPORT, WA, US
• Hometown: KEYPORT, WA, US
• Hometown: MILLINGTON, TN, US
• Hometown: NEWPORT, RI, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DC, US