PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Some 98 students from 17 area schools attended an event here on Feb. 20 designed to encourage teenagers to pursue technical careers needed to ensure our nation’s future military readiness with a technically proficient workforce.
The “Introduce a Teen to Engineering” gathering gave students an opportunity to meet and discuss STEM topics with some of the nation’s top engineers and scientists who are focused on designing and developing the next generation of U.S. Army armament systems.
Picatinny Arsenal is home to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center, one of the Army’s premier research and development facilities, employing thousands of workers in technical fields.
The event featured 24 tables and exhibits with subjects that included Drone Swarming Software Engineering, Energetics and Warheads, Gaming Interactive Technology, Chemical Engineering, Data Science and Decision Analysis, Navy Systems Integration Ashore and Afloat, Understanding Stress and Performances, Soldier Weapons and Environmental Sciences.
Cynthia Perazzo, executive director, Weapons and Software Engineering Center, welcomed the students to the event, which served as a portal to a range of stimulating career possibilities in STEM.
“The energy here is fueled by the passion of our participants as they share their stories and inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers,” she said.
Perazzo also acknowledged the valuable contributions to the event by Picatinny installation employees. “Thank you for showcasing your talents and sharing your journeys tonight. You are the spark that will ignite curiosity and inspire these teens to chase their dreams.”
Another speaker, Daniela Gonzalez, a mechanical engineer at Picatinny for more than 10 years, described how her journey into engineering began in high school when she stumbled upon a metal workshop course.
“As intimidating as that class was, I learned a lot of hands-on work,” she said. “I made my own screwdriver, toolbox, chisel. I learned how to weld. I learned how to cast metal. Let’s just say my dad got a lot of gifts that year,” Gonzalez added, sparking light laughter among attendees.
Gonzalez described how she was able to combine her new skillset and love of the arts with the use of Computer Aided Design, or CAD. “I obtained the ability to design and built whatever my heart desired.”
Over time at Picatinny, Gonzalez gained knowledge of several specialty knowledge areas that included 3-D printing, machine shops, welding shops and CAD drafting. “And funny enough, which I never expected, I am now working with explosives.”
Gonzales concluded by encouraging the teens to thank their parents and chaperones. “Because from their love, support and encouragement, they have shaped us to strive to reach our full potential and create a better future.”
Student Karolyn Ali said she was interested in biomedical engineering and spoke that evening to someone involved in similar work, in this case a hand prosthetic.
“Overall, I’m really enjoying the visit,” she said of the event. “I think it’s really eye opening, especially for someone who wants to discover more about other fields of engineering, and someone who just wants to explore in case they find something else they can be passionate about.”
Jose Rubio said he likes to study physics and mathematics and aspires to be a mechanical engineer, although he wants deeper knowledge about options in the field.
“I don’t know what to concentrate in yet,” he said, although at this time he is considering aerospace engineering. At the event, demonstrations of virtual reality caught his attention. “Over the summer, I did work at a lab where some individuals were working on VR. It was an eye opener because of the implications it could have in the future.”
Student Jonathan Duran said his interest in mechanical engineering started with his work on a high school robotics competition team. Duran focused on the climbing aspect of robots using a form of a mechanical hand.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me,” he said of the teen STEM event, ”because I know there are like-minded engineers here. It’s going to be exciting to talk to them.”
Other Picatinny-based organizations provided personnel and exhibits for the event, which showcased a sampling of activities at the installation that support national defense. They include the U.S. Navy, the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition, Project Manager Soldier Lethality, and U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal.
The students were accompanied by about 53 teachers, parents and chaperones.
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