The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center hosted high school students participating in Northeastern University's Young Scholar Program. The highly selective program gives students the chance to experience STEM professions firsth...
NATICK, Mass. (July 31, 2015) -- The possibility of a career in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, became a little more real to a unique group of high school students visiting the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center on July 30, 2015.
The students visited NSRDEC as part of their participation in the highly selective Northeastern University's Young Scholars Program. The program provides high school students interested in STEM the opportunity to garner hands-on experiences while still in high school.
"In addition to conducting research on campus, Young Scholars have the opportunity to visit several corporate and government research facilities," said Claire Duggan, director for Programs and Operations, the Center for STEM Education at Northeastern University. "These experiences provide students a window into research currently being conducted and an opportunity to explore career opportunities for the future."
The group of about 30 students interacted with NSRDEC scientists and engineers and learned about the science and technology behind protective gear, advanced textile technologies, aerial delivery, shelters, and combat feeding -- to name a few. Students also toured unique testing facilities, including the Doriot Climatic Chambers.
"This is a great opportunity to provide these students a chance to see a developmental technology we're evaluating for potential use by our military," said Peter Lavigne, member of the Equipment & Energy Technology Team in NSRDEC's Combat Feeding Directorate.
"It was really interesting to apply what we've learned in school to real-world situations, especially the Army," said Vindhya Kuchibhotla, a Sharon High School student and participant in Northeastern's Young Scholar Program.
Senior Research Scientist -- Soldier Nanomaterials, Dr. Ramanathan Nagarajan, is a top Army expert on nanomaterials-based technology. He believes that interaction between students and seasoned professionals is important for both groups.
"NEU Young Scholars visiting NSRDEC will see many examples of the work we do every day to make sure that Soldiers have protective clothing against various kinds of threats, food rations to sustain them during combat, shelters to protect them, and supplies delivered to them aerially in combat zones," said Nagarajan. "The striking thing the students will notice is how science and technology make the difference in each case."
"This experience was thrilling for me," said Megi Maci, a Quincy High School student and participant in Northeastern's Young Scholars Program. "I had the chance to walk in the shoes of an American Soldier. I was able to see how perilous a Soldier's life is and the technology that enhances their safety."
"Young students are intrinsically bright -- even if they may not recognize it," said Nagarajan. "They have no, or limited, preconceived opinions, but are capable of limitless imagination. When exposed to NSRDEC examples, they may come up with ideas of their own about how the Soldier's life and work can be improved. Possibly, a number of them will end up in scientific fields and at least some may consider a scientific career at NSRDEC, or another Army lab, to become the next generation of innovators."
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The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center
Army.mil: Science and Technology News
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