ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Hundreds of students from Maryland schools kicked off the start of the 2012 Maryland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Morgan State University March 8.

The three-day event connects students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities through hands-on Army technology demonstrations, a TriMathAlon competition and professional seminars.

On day one, APG organization representatives set up exhibits and interacted with hundreds of students, answering questions about thermal imaging technology, pyrotechnics, smart phone capabilities, armor materials and more.

A big draw was the STEM Asset Vehicle. Built by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, the vehicle is the Army's latest STEM recruiting tool. Sgts. 1st Class Matthew Oliver and Daniel Adam from the U.S. Army Accessions Support Brigade's Mobile Exhibit Company at Fort Knox, Ky., drive the vehicle around the country for STEM education outreach events.

"It's basically three rooms offering different scenarios based on Army research and development," Oliver said.

Adam wore a Future Soldier Suit, a "Robocop-like plastic suit of armor.

"It's a mock up uniform of what Soldiers could actually look like in about 20 years," he said.

APG organization displays included the U.S. Army's Communications-Electronics Command; Test and Evaluation Command; Research, Development and Engineering Command; Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; Army Research Laboratory; the garrison's Environmental Division and APG Dental Activity.

The symposium moved to the Baltimore Marriott in Hunt Valley March 9 and 10. Engineers and scientists from the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, ARL and ECBC, judged student presentations for potential participation in the national JSHS Competition, May 2 -- 6 in Bethesda.