The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) and Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit Two (NEPMU-2) joined forces to manage an interactive exhibit comprised of various scientific experiments associated with public health during the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show Outdoor Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Laboratory kickoff in Virginia Beach, Va., Sept. 15.
In its second year, the NAS Oceana Air Show Outdoor STEM Laboratory focused on educating, inspiring and connecting Virginia Beach elementary school students to future opportunities within STEM-related fields.
Hosting over 6,000 students from across the entire Virginia Beach fifth-grade class, the event welcomed staff from commands across the Department of Defense (DoD), including NMCPHC and NEPMU-2, to create exhibits that would engage students and demonstrate each command’s capabilities within STEM fields.
Industrial Hygienist Jena Brunson, Toxicologist Amy DeLong and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Joseph Visarraga of NMCPHC in collaboration with Lt. Cmdr. Christon Duhon and other NEPMU-2 staff demonstrated their command’s capabilities through various scientific experiments.
“This was a very rewarding event. The hands-on approach was used to give an example of how science is applied in various public health careers and that learning does not stop after graduation. The excitement was visible on the children's faces as they were handling the various pieces of equipment and learning what the equipment can tell us as scientists,” said Brunson.
One of NMCPHC’s and NEPMU-2’s most popular experiments allowed students to use a Sound Level Meter to measure and compare their screams to the noise level of various military equipment, such as a jet engine. Another experiment allowed students to use a microscope to compare the attributes of a beetle, bee and cicada.
"For many of the kids, this was the first time using a microscope. We even had some them return with their friends to take one more look through the microscope! It was truly rewarding to be a part of that experience with them and to encourage STEM education,” said DeLong.
Additionally, to protect each student’s hearing at the air show, both commands worked together to hand-out ear plugs and provide training on how to wear them properly.
NEPMU-2 continued to showcase their exhibit throughout the weekend as the STEM Laboratory opened up to the entire Virginia Beach community.
To learn more about NMCPHC, visit: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Pages/Home.aspx
To learn more about NEMPU-2, visit: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/nepmu-2/Pages/default.aspx