ARNG Energy Lab
What is it'
In response to President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign, the Army National Guard launched the Mobile Learning Center (MLC) program to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) literacy to high school students across the nation. In the tour vehicle, The Energy Lab, students explore the math and science behind energy efficiency, and the renewable and non-renewable resources that drive many current and future STEM career fields.
What has the National Guard done'
The National Guard Education Division successfully launched the tour on Sept. 30, 2010 in Washington D.C. The Energy Lab is executing a nationwide tour for the 2010-2011 school year, and has visited schools in Washington, DC, Georgia (October 2010), Alabama (November 2010), and is currently activated in Tennessee.
What continued efforts does the National Guard have planned for the future'
The program plans approximately 40 site visits within the first year, focusing on underserved high schools, nearby National Guard readiness centers (armories), and other STEM related events. Visits are scheduled for the following states: Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana (2010) and Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California (2011).
The program has identified the following campaign objectives:
Aca,!Ac Provide high school youth with a unique hands-on experience in math and science technologies
Aca,!Ac Increase National Guard community outreach opportunities and service to the public
Aca,!Ac Provide educational outreach and enrichment at local armories for children of National Guard Soldiers especially through National Guard public events
Aca,!Ac Increase national academic interest in the STEM fields with a focus on current energy related topics
Aca,!Ac Develop partnerships with local and national agencies, businesses, and organizations
Why is this important to the National Guard'
The United States is severely lagging behind its global counterparts in math and science education. According to a comprehensive National Science Center study focusing on high school students, the United States scored in the lowest 1 percentile in the content areas of math and science. The MLC addresses this lack-luster situation by engaging students in math and science and inspiring students to pursue careers in the STEM subjects. The goals and objectives of the MLC align with the mission of the Department of Defense's 2010 STEM Education Outreach Plan, which recognizes that STEM talent is essential to meeting DoD's workforce needs and strengthening the Nation's security.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.arng.army.mil/Pages/Default.aspx" target="_blank"> Army National Guard</a>
<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/educate-innovate" target="_blank"> Educate to Innovate</a>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arlington-VA/Army-National-Guard-Education-Incentives-and-Employment-Division/159193737735'v=wall " target="_blank"> Army National Guard Education, Incentives, and Employment on Facebook</a>
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