ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - A team of Army engineers hosted a group of local students to discuss Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, here Nov. 23.
The Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, or CERDEC, collaborated with the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County to engage local students in STEM-related activities within the CERDEC Command, Power and Integration Directorate, or CP&I.
The students toured several CP&I Prototyping, Integration and Testing labs during their visit, which spanned from mechanical and electrical fabrication, 3D computer-assisted design programs, and the Integration High Bay -- an area where developed items are prepared for shipment.
"What makes our job so exciting is the fact that we get to take an idea and see it delivered into someone else's hands to use to their benefit," said Christopher Manning, chief, CERDEC CP&I Prototyping, Integration and Testing Division. "We hope students will see that excitement in our labs and want the same opportunities in the future."
The Boys and Girls Club of Harford County, Maryland offers dedicated facilities for after-school activities, with programming in specialized areas including character development, educational enhancement and career exploration. Club locations span across the county, serving more than 5,000 youth in areas like Edgewood, Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace.
"Confidence comes from competence--they must develop skills in all areas," said Susan Ciavolino, STEM education director for the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County. "It is a basic thing, but power tools really do make kids feel powerful. They need to try as many things as possible to see that they have skills and talents that they never could have imagined."
This is the first collaboration for CERDEC and the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County.
"We're excited to expand our support beyond the school system and engage with students outside of their everyday environment," said Erica Bertoli, outreach lead at CERDEC.
Most future job growth is predicted to be in STEM areas and inspiration is essential, said Ciavolino.
"It comes from seeing what real people do and realizing that you could do that too," she said.
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CERDEC 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:
Army.mil: Science and Technology News
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center
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