NSWCDD STEM PROGRAMS

Innovation Challenge @ Dahlgren

• Series of unique competitions where students learn new technical skills in engineering and then put those skills to the test in competition against teams from across the region
• High school robotics challenge annually since 2022
• First annual collegiate challenge in 2023
• First annual middle school robotics challenge in 2024
• Robotics challenges include goals to navigate difficult terrain, capture and transport objects, and take photographs of important items
• Prizes have included cash, robotics platforms, 3D printers, and scholarships

In-Class Robotics

• Mentors bring robotics kits appropriate for elementary and middle school students to give kids a chance to try programming them to complete tasks

Coding Clubs

• Dahlgren mentors go into classrooms to teach introductory software development fundamentals
• Offered at elementary, middle, and high school levels
• Content and resources are provided by NSWCDD
• Goal is to introduce coding and serve as a catalyst for creation of coding clubs at local schools

STEM Clubs

• Elementary, middle, and high School after-school clubs that meet with a Dahlgren mentor weekly for hands-on demos and engineering activities

SeaPerch

• Middle and high school students build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from scratch with the help of Dahlgren mentors and educators
• Dahlgren provides tools and materials for ROVs
• Annual competition for regional schools to compete in challenges to navigate their ROV through a series of underwater obstacles
• Winners from regional competition move on to compete nationally

Career Talks and Mock Interviews

• Dahlgren scientists and engineers visit schools to discuss and answer career, education, and technical questions from middle and high school students

Summer Middle School STEM Academy

• Multiday summer camp hosted at King George Middle School with hands-on STEM activities & information to increase interest in STEM disciplines and careers
• Past activities have included:
  • Navy Navy-focused robotic missions
  • STEM-career discussions & speakers
  • Balsa wood tower design
  • Foil-boat engineering
  • Lab demos

Community Outreach

• STEM Nights & STEM Expos
  • Local STEM events focused on bringing many science and organizations together to offer hands-on experiences for students
• Career & Internship Fairs
  • STEM advocates attend many regional events to provide information on internship and career opportunities at NSWCDD
• Dahlgren Downtown
  • Event hosted in downtown Fredericksburg to give local citizens and students a chance to learn about NSWCDD’s past, present, and future

Resources and Professional Development for Educators

• STEM Activities and Resources available
• Robotics Trainings
• Partnership with University of Mary Washington College of Education