Nicholas Anderson, Saint Mark the Evangelist, shakes Exchange Officer to Picatinny Canadian Capt. Thomas Murphy's hand via a prosthetic multi-material 3D printed hand that Picatinny engineers created in the Advanced Materials Technology Branch's 3D p...
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Picatinny Arsenal's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) office hosted approximately 70 students from East Orange STEM Academy High School and Middle School, Union City High School and Saint Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem during a STEM event at Liberty Science Center May 24.
During the event, Picatinny Arsenal engineers and scientists from the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) provided hands-on demonstrations to teach the students about topics such as artificial intelligence, innovation, 3D printing, astronomy, and "Sound Energy/Sound Waves," which Picatinny engineers use to test weapons and munitions.
According to Shah Dabiri, ARDEC Picatinny STEM Manager, the students attended to, "interact with Picatinny scientists and engineers to come to an understanding of the viability of a career in science engineering and technology, so that we can better equip our future workforce and hire the best and brightest local students."
Jarod Wilmoth, an 8th grade student from Saint Mark the Evangelist, said he enjoyed learning about 3D printing and was told to "dream with your eyes open," which he explained meant that a person should not wait to pursue their goals.
Wilmoth was not initially interested in a STEM career, but the Liberty Science Center event may have changed his mind.
"When I came here I learned a couple of things and I think that I might be interested in studying this in college and during high school," he said.
Former astronaut Terry J. Hart also gave a presentation to the students. Hart was a fighter pilot, entered the USAF in 1969, and selected for the NASA program in 1978. He flew as a mission specialist on the Challenger space shuttle. On shuttle mission STS 41-C that was launched on April 6, 1984, Hart and his crew members retrieved the ailing Solar Maximum Satellite, repaired it on board the Challenger, then replaced it in orbit, using the robotic arm.
Hart said it important for the students and society to "understand technology and motivate young people to study more (STEM) in high school and then hopefully college as well."
"And I'm here today for that motivation," Hart said.
The Picatinny STEM office sponsored the event with assistance provided by the Morris Chamber of Commerce and the AT&T Pioneers.
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