January 29, 2018
CRANE, Ind. – On Jan. 26, Bloomfield students had the opportunity to present to teachers, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) volunteers, community partners and a special guest, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick at Bloomfield High School during the final Workplace Simulation Project Day.
These presentations served as the culmination of an intense semester-long effort by students.
The event was the third of its kind and demonstrated the true value of the program – offering students challenging projects in real-world situations – to provide students, schools and all the partners involved.
“The workplace simulation is a unique opportunity for Crane employees to go into the school and integrate real-life work into the curriculum at Bloomfield High School,” said Angie Mann, NSWC Crane’s Engagement and Community Outreach Liaison.
Students had an active semester working with community partners such as NSWC Crane, Indiana University Center for P-16 Research and Collaboration, Skill Up Indiana and Direct Employers Institute. Finishing up the third year of the program in Bloomfield, the program continues to grow.
“This initiative is helping to ensure a readily available and relevant workforce pipeline within the region,” said Mann.
Many NSWC Crane employees volunteer their time to participate in the program and help teach individual classes. This hands-on volunteering brings the challenges NSWC Crane employees face each day into the classroom so students can experience them firsthand.
“Our volunteers are serving alongside the educators at Bloomfield High School, and helping not only shape the students of today, but more importantly tomorrow's future workforce,” said Mann.
Since 2004, growth in STEM jobs in the United States has been three times faster than in non-STEM jobs, with workers earning 26 percent more than non-STEM counterparts, according to the National Science Foundation.
"NSWC Crane is honored to be part of this special group of community, state, and academia partners. This collaborative effort is critical to promoting STEM in high school classrooms and cultivating young STEM professionals for the future workforce," said Capt. Mark Oesterreich, NSWC Crane’s Commanding Officer.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s warfighter.