Indian Head, Md. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division employees took time from their weekend plans to join the ninth annual History, Industry, Technology, and Science (HITS) Expo in Waldorf, Maryland, March 22. In doing so, they highlighted the importance a STEM-focused career can have for students, while simultaneously showing exactly what goes on behind the gates at the command.
Attendees were given the opportunity to develop a visual understanding of how pilots successfully eject during an emergency with an interactive fighter pilot ejection seat. Students and their families also received hands-on experiences with explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots and learned how robotic technology keeps EOD operators safe while deployed.
“It is always exciting to see the energy from the students at this event as they learn a little about the work performed at the command,” said Josh Phillips, public affairs officer for NSWC IHD. “The HITS Expo provides us a great opportunity to pull back the curtain a bit on what we do at Indian Head and show local students where a STEM-focused career can lead.”
NSWC IHD is one of the largest employers in Charles County and its booth showcased some of the critical technologies developed by members of the local community.
“A career in STEM is not just about mastering technology or solving equations—it's about shaping the future, exploring the unknown and creating solutions that can transform the world,” said Amanda Wilmot, the command’s STEM coordinator. “We are always glad to support this annual event, as it gives us a chance to get students excited about STEM fields and gain a sneak-peak on what a career at NSWC Indian Head Division may look like.”
The event combines the Charles County Public School’s history and science fairs with various STEM demonstrations, including the SeaPerch underwater robotics competition: an integrated STEM education program, which guides students through engineering and design projects centered around building an underwater remotely operated vehicle.
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.
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