PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) recently donated retired technology to future generations in the local school district.
Seth Edewaard, NSWC PCD Cybersecurity branch head, said the command transferred three Apple Mac Pro desktop computers with high definition, 4,000 pixel, 27-inch retina displays and two Apple MacBook Pro laptops to Bay District Schools (BDS).
“The systems no longer serve their intended purpose at NSWC PCD. It is a logical choice to donate them to the local school district – given the recent hardships of Hurricane Michael and the graphic capabilities these systems can provide,” said Edewaard. “Hopefully the district will select a school with a strong graphic arts department to receive the equipment.”
According to Edewaard, these systems were used in the Cybersecurity branch of the command and allowed personnel to analyze and support Apple products in that capacity. Per Department of Defense policy, the system’s memory has been erased and hard drives have been removed.
Ginger Littleton, BDS board member, said students will benefit because their range of experience with both the technical and creative opportunities provided by this donation is greatly expanded.
“NSWC Panama City always considers the local educational institutions when it has equipment that still has a functional life span and may find a new home within the schools, colleges, and universities. The “old” becomes “new” again, and many students are now enjoying the recycled items from welding machines to computers and video cameras,” said Littleton. “This synergistic relationship allows the Navy to remove and replace items, and it allows educators and educational institutions to provide more learning opportunities by recycling equipment for use by our students. The partnership is strong, efficient, and is most beneficial."
Littleton said when she received word that NSWC PCD had Apple equipment in great condition and ready for replacement, she immediately contacted the BDS information technology (IT) personnel who were ecstatic to receive the potential donation.
“We have schools that have IT programs that produce a morning show to start the day,” said Littleton. “The BDS IT team could see how adding the Apple equipment would enhance their ability to produce a morning show and to extend their experience with other technologies.
Edewaard said he is grateful to provide the students with the systems.
“We would hate to potentially toss such high-end systems and end their shelf life too soon,” said Edewaard. “I am happy we found a home for the computers to be used for many years to come.”
Efforts such as this are due in part to the Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) between NSWC PCD and BDS. EPAs allow NSWC PCD scientists and engineers to work with an educational institution to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In addition, EPAs allow for equipment loans, help with STEM course development, guest lectures and demonstrations, workshops for teacher and student science and technology education.