Photo By Chalene Simmons | Seniors from George Mason University visited Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock...... read more read more
Beginning in 2024, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, partnered with George Mason University (GMU) to provide technical oversight for senior design projects to its Mechanical Engineering students. On May 9, 2025, Carderock hosted two student-led teams from GMU for a visit to present their final projects.
The collaboration began through Maureen Foley, a materials engineer, in the Non-Metallic and Low Observable Materials Branch at Carderock. Foley was introduced to the chair of GMU’s mechanical engineering department, through the American Society of Naval Engineers, where they discussed ways to better leverage the existing educational partnership agreement between Carderock and GMU.
“The partnership began as a way to make students aware of the Navy as someone they can work for,” Foley said.
Carderock engineers were crucial in guiding the teams on various project aspects and providing access to technical labs. This allowed students to take back ideas for their respective projects. Students also had the opportunity to visit the base to test fabrication for part of their projects, helping them better understand what they needed to be successful.
“Last year's project was very successful,” said Foley. “We are rolling out the technology to the intermediate level facilities at all homeports and we have a patent application in process.”
Foley visited GMU’s campus in March to check on the status of this year's projects before their presentations. GMU students praised Carderock engineers for their support and guidance.
“The staff have been very helpful in providing suggestions in how to approach certain problems and have been open to letting us know about potential future job opportunities,” said Quentin Crocker, a GMU senior and Naval Research Enterprise Internship (NREIP) intern.
One team built an environmental chamber for mechanical testing, and the other was tasked with fabricating composite panels for ready service lockers that were malleable enough to bend 45 degrees on all four corners and edges.
In addition to Crocker, who is an NREIP intern, two other students are currently interning. One through the STEM Student Employee Program (SSEP) at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C and another student has already obtained a full-time position at Norfolk Naval Shipyard upon graduation.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2025 10:03 |
| Story ID: | 499410 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Carderock Partners with George Mason University for Second Year of Senior Design Project Oversight, by Brittny Odoms, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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