Student enrichment program prepares future scientists

By Frank Misurelli, Picatinny Arsenal Public AffairsAugust 11, 2015

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The STEM Academy at Picatinny Arsenal is an educational outreach program for students, where they are encouraged to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts. Above, students demonstrate their project, a pool caddie for t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- During the dog days of summer, where can a student construct a model bridge that can withstand an earthquake, or build model rockets, and miniature roller coaster, while making new friends?

Well, look no farther than Picatinny STEM Academy Summer Enrichment Program.

The STEM Academy is an educational outreach program for students, where they are encouraged to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematic concepts through hands-on experiments and open discussion. It is offered annually for three weeks to children ages 10 to 15. Each week of the academy is for a different age group.

This year, approximately a dozen seventh and eighth graders attended the academy, learning from a retired Blairstown teacher, Joe Benvenuto, and Picatinny STEM Coordinator Shahram Dabiri.

"The teachers are great and I enjoy it," said Abigail Schwartz, an eighth grader, who has attended at least three Picatinny STEM events. Schwartz plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to become a bio-medical engineer.

Alec Rybarski, also an eighth grader, has attended two STEM Academies and plans to return next year, saying that he loves the scientific experiments and took pride in his contribution in the construction of the roller coaster marble miniature model. He plans to attend Carnegie Mellon to become a software engineer.

Meanwhile, Kaylin Albert, a seventh grader, said that she liked all the projects and experiments and the opportunity to both work individually or in a group. "It's fun building stuff," said Kaylin, who wants to be a veterinarian.

At the end of the academy, parents are invited to come to a segment where students explain and demonstrate their projects and experiments.

Col. Scott Turner, the Military Deputy for the Armament Research, Development and Engineering, said in reference to the students: "They are the future of the nation and will carry us into the 21th century and we have a bright future."

Related Links:

U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) homepage

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) homepage

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