REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - More than 400 local high school students visited Redstone Arsenal Sept. 28 for the 11th annual Adventures in Engineering Day.
Aimed at high school juniors, the purpose of this event was to promote science and engineering disciplines as a career choice. It offered the students an opportunity to observe what engineers do on a daily basis, provided them with hands-on knowledge and encouraged their pursuit of a science.
"Today was really successful," said Stacey McSweeney, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command. "One of the chaperones told me that SMDC was definitely one of the most interesting events because we were engaging, the students got an opportunity to actually have hands-on experiences, and they were really interested in some of the work SMDC is doing.
"The students asked a lot of questions and seemed interested in finding out more about what you can do as an engineer," she added. "We want to encourage students before they go into the workforce to become more interested in studying their science, math, technology and engineering in college and hopefully come back and work in the Huntsville area."
Participating in Adventures in Engineering were home-schooled students, as well as those from the following local schools; Hartselle High School, Limestone County Career Technical Center, Cullman, Lee High School, Clements High School, Madison Co. High School, Life Christian Academy, Bob Jones High School, East Lawrence High School, Franklin Co. High School, Albertville High School, Good Hope High School, New Century High School, Guntersville High School, Buckhorn High School, Huntsville High School, Grissom High School, Whitesburg Christian Academy, Brewer High School, Masters High School, New Hope High School and Catholic High School.
"Today has been very informative," said William Thackerson, a high school junior. "I have learned about scholarships and programs as well as some of the opportunities available after college.
"I think today has been very beneficial and I feel a lot of other students should consider coming because it is really helpful," he added. "It really increases your knowledge in what students need to do during and after high school."
After beginning the day at the University of Alabama-Huntsville University Center, students visited a multitude of organizations to participate in a variety of demonstrations and speak to employees working in their particular fields of interest.
The students were taken to several organizations on Redstone Arsenal, including U. S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Missile Defense Agency, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, SMDC, SMDC's Reagan Test Site Operations Center and Lockheed Martin's Huntsville Integrated Test Center in Huntsville.
At SMDC, students visited the Concept Analysis Laboratory, where they witnessed several ongoing test programs and learned about various school and employment programs available.
They also visited SMDC's Simulation Center to see how 3-D technology is being used alongside unmanned aerial vehicles by the Innovative Ventures Office within the Future Warfare Center.
"It was a huge success this year, the students seemed really excited to be here," said Shannon Berry, FWC -- IVO. "This is the second year I have been a part of this and it is great to see how excited and interested they are, not only in engineering and technology but also in the Army.
"They have had great questions and they have stumped us a few times," he continued. "They love the 3-D technology and they always ask us about how valuable that is. They ask us about what we're doing with satellite technology, and in particular how we supported civilians with tornado recovery this past year."
The Junior Achievement of Northern Alabama coordinated students' participation, while the Air Space and Missile Defense Association, the National Defense Industrial Association and UAH hosted the event.
"Today has been very interesting and informative," said Leah Simms, a high school sophomore. "I really liked the 3D technology, it was cool. I would really like to know how to do that.
"This was very beneficial," she added. "I am happy I came because I learned more about what is out there to study."
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