Indian Head, Maryland –
A robot dog trotted down the hallway of the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Velocity Center as dozens of excited faces watched in awe at the CSM Art of Innovation Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) Festival, April 20. The dog, two explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots and a fighter pilot ejection seat were just some of the technologies showcased by Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD).
“This is our second year of attendance at this event and it is always inspiring to see the next generation of scientists come out, interact with our workforce, and learn about what we do to support the warfighter,” said Josh Phillips, NSWC IHD Corporate Communications Division acting director.
NSWC IHD displayed the unique explosive equipment used in the ejection seats and demonstrated the precision of its EOD robots with a tennis ball and a PVC pipe. STEAM Festival attendees experienced the technology first-hand by handing the robot the ball to grip in its claw or by catching the ball when the robot released its grip.
Command personnel also talked to students about what they want to do when they grow up, and encouraged them to ask questions about the technology developed and opportunities available just up the hill—or across the creek—from the Velocity Center.
“When [they] see something or are exposed to it, they believe they can be it or do it,” CSM Velocity Center Executive Director Lesley Quattlebaum said. “You never know how this exposure is going to impact someone’s life and what that might mean for their future.”
Quattlebaum added the STEAM Festival highlights how important creativity is in STEM. CSM’s goal in hosting collaborative community events at the center is ensuring the western side of Charles County has access to opportunities in STEM-related programs.
The STEAM Festival comes on the heels of the Sea-Air-Space Exposition, where Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti called the next 10 years a “decisive decade” and NSWC IHD Deputy Technical Director Steve Anthony said this command is “front and center” for the looming wartime readiness and preparation operations to come. The $2.7 billion Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan will create thousands of job opportunities in Southern Maryland for the next 15 years.
NSWC IHD — a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Establishment — is the leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats.
-NAVSEA-