ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (June 20, 2012) -- Built to enable collaboration by converging its workforce, the U.S. Army C4ISR Center of Excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a logical place to find eCybermission's 2012 CyberGuide of the Year, Lauren McNew.
After all, the Army's new technology campus is focused on promoting collaboration and synergy, much like McNew herself.
"When I was growing up I was fortunate to be in a program where we were given lots of enrichment activities," said McNew, the project lead for In-Line Network Encryption with the Army's Project Director Communications Security (PD COMSEC). "We were able to talk to people about what we wanted to do when we grew up. I want to let kids know that if science is what they want to do, participating in something like eCybermission is a great way to get into that world."
Most of all, McNew says she volunteers as a CyberGuide for eCybermission, an Army-sponsored, free, web-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition, because she enjoys sparking a child's interest in science.
"They think it's really cool when they get to the end of an experiment and see what they worked so hard for," she said. "I love seeing kids excited about science."
Celebrating its 10th year, eCybermission allows students in six through ninth grade to compete for state, regional and national awards by working in teams to identify a problem in their community and use scientific inquiry to propose a solution. Students on winning teams can receive up to $8,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.
Since the competition's inception in 2002, the Army has awarded more than $8 million in savings bonds and more than 102,000 students have participated.
As a CyberGuide, McNew volunteered to assist students in the eCybermission as they participated in the program. McNew estimates she hosted four or five webinars throughout the competition, which began in February, and spent about one hour a day blogging with students about their projects.
"As a CyberGuide, you're basically a resource for students while they're completing their projects," said McNew, who has a master's degree in molecular biology.
As project lead for In-Line Network Encryption at COMSEC, McNew oversees the procurement and lifecycle management for Army encryptors, which allow for secure information from the battlefield to be passed back and forth.
Volunteers with eCybermission registered a record 15,406 students this year, said Louie Lopez, program manager of eCybermission. The program is administered by the Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM).
Volunteers also serve as team advisors, ambassadors and virtual judges.
"Volunteers play an important role in the eCybermission program," said Lopez. "We want to make sure the efforts of those that go above and beyond for our students are highlighted."
In selecting McNew as the top of 73 registered CyberGuides, it was her enthusiasm that stood out, he said.
"Feedback from students and teachers that have interacted with Lauren has always been very positive and thus, more teams have reached out to her," said Lopez. "Lauren always ensured that students are provided the necessary resources to conduct their research and complete their projects."
The program is not only designed to challenge students to think about real-world applications of STEM, but to also gain unique access to STEM professionals for a vital career development experience. The program helps prepare students for future roles in science and technology by showing hands-on demonstrations and through interaction with its volunteers like McNew.
"We at C4ISR and COMSEC understand the importance of growing and nurturing the workforce," said Chris Manning, project director for COMSEC, which is assigned to the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T). "Lauren enjoys being an ambassador for the Army. We know we need to ensure there are programs we can pull young people into, support them and eventually bring them on as career employees. STEM programs like eCybermission are a precursor to that."
Dennis Teefy, product director, Cryptographic Systems for COMSEC, agrees.
"As a scientist, molecular biologist and program manager Lauren is a great role model that people can look up to. Yet she's still approachable and down to earth," Teefy said. "She's very disarming. I think that's why she does so well with the STEM students. She has that knowledge but a personality that they can relate to. As she always says, she likes to make science fun."
On June 21-22, McNew and the 16 first-place Regional Winning Teams will attend eCybermission's National Judging and Education Event in Washington, D.C. There she'll have a chance to watch the National Student Finalists presentation and will be honored for her volunteer work.
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