Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher OGrady | Senior Chief Hull Maintenance Technician John Parkin, a Recruit Division Commander at...... read more read more
Subscribe
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – In a collaborative effort to promote STEM education and inspire future leaders in science and technology, over 40 volunteers from Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes lent their expertise to support the eighth annual SeaPerch Regional Competition held on March 16 at Lake Forest Academy.
Hosted by the National Museum of the American Sailor (NMAS) and Navy League, this event brought together 136 high school students and 60 advisors from 40 schools for a day of underwater robotics challenges.
The SeaPerch program, designed to cultivate students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), offers participants the opportunity to construct and operate an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Throughout the project, students gain valuable insights into engineering concepts, problem-solving, teamwork, and technical applications. These skills are vital for shaping the future of the Navy and the broader STEM community.
David Twifford, a retired Navy master chief and former command master chief of RTC who previously coordinated the SeaPerch community outreach program, emphasized the significance of events like these for young students.
“SeaPerch is a great opportunity for young students to experience STEM,” Twifford remarked. “Partnering with the military, specifically the Navy, provides students with insights into the extensive engineering work integral to naval operations. It’s not just about ships and Sailors; engineering plays a crucial role in every aspect of Navy operations.”
For many of the participating students, the SeaPerch competition offered their first chance to interact with military personnel on a personal level. This interaction not only fosters a deeper understanding of the Navy’s role in STEM fields but also highlights the opportunities available within the military community.
As Twifford noted, Naval Station Great Lakes, home to RTC, offers a wealth of engineering opportunities for recruits, with a large percentage pursuing engineering ratings after completing boot camp.
The event saw RTC staff volunteers assuming various roles, including event setup and takedown, competition judging, divers, traffic monitors, and ROV triage, showcasing the Navy’s commitment to supporting STEM education initiatives within local communities.
Kelly Duffy, director of the NMAS, underscored the impact of such experiences on students’ future endeavors.
“STEM competitions like SeaPerch provide invaluable learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields,” Duffy stated. “It allows them to hone their skills, collaborate with peers, and gain hands-on experience in robotics and engineering.”
The SeaPerch competition featured two in-pool components: an obstacle course and a challenge course, with this year’s challenge theme focusing on ocean exploration. Student teams navigated underwater hoops, mapped areas, retrieved samples, and demonstrated their technical prowess in a simulated marine environment.
Duffy highlighted the enjoyment students derive from such competitions, emphasizing the fun and excitement of building and operating underwater robots.
“It’s a great way to get practical experience with robotics and other STEM categories,” Duffy said. “Building a robot is a fun thing to do, and then we get the unique opportunity to compare and see how well each design works underwater.”
For RTC volunteers, including Recruit Drill Commanders (RDCs) and instructors, participating in events like the SeaPerch Regional Competition offers an opportunity to impart valuable life skills and lessons in teamwork to young students.
“The staff at Recruit Training Command are experts in molding young individuals into better humans,” Twifford affirmed. “Interacting with middle and high school students allows us to instill values of teamwork, pride, and competition. These are essential traits for success in both STEM fields and life.”
As the U.S. Navy continues to prioritize STEM education and workforce development, initiatives like the SeaPerch program serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world applications, inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. Through collaboration and mentorship, RTC volunteers are paving the way for a brighter future, one buoyed by curiosity, creativity, and a passion for discovery.
Boot camp is approximately 10 weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes five warfighting competencies of firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms handling and marksmanship along with physical fitness and lessons in Navy heritage and core values, Warrior Toughness, life skills, teamwork, and discipline. More than 41,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
For more information about Recruit Training Command and its community initiatives, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2024 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 466664 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, IL, US |
| Hometown: | LAKE FOREST, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 212 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Navy Volunteers Inspire Next Generation of STEM Leaders at SeaPerch Regional, by Marc Lindsay, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT