PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (October 9, 2014)--A group of 4th, 5th and 7th graders representing the First LEGO League Team #3013 got to answer the age old question, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" when they toured Picatinny Arsenal Sept. 26.
The team visited the Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) for a robotics demonstration as part of Picatinny's Armament Research, Development and Engineer Center's science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach program.
"The students range from 9 to 12 years old," said Regina Stonitsch, a Picatinny engineer assigned to Product Manager Soldier Weapons, Precision Weapons Division, who coaches these budding engineers and scientists.
Stonitsch said the students must "present their own innovative solutions to a current and real-world problem, and then build a robot using some LEGO products that will perform series of mission as part of the FLL challenge."
Picatinny's STEM program supported the team by providing funding so that the team could buy replacement components and a new central processing unit brick, which serves as the "brains of the robot" and had worn out on the team's robot.
EOD engineers Hau Do and John Sukurlu provided the opportunity to witness and appreciate the real-world robotics, math and science applications experienced by the students.
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The U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center is an internationally acknowledged hub for the advancement of armament technologies and engineering innovation. It strives to support the Army's efforts to ensure Soldier survivability and enhance platform and area protection by providing engineering, design and development support.
Its STEM outreach program aims to provide the future workforce needed in our Department of Defense Laboratories by providing innovative educational resources and promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Related Links:
Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) homepage
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