POULSBO, Wash. –
Volunteers from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility were on hand April 29 to support the 3rd annual Navy Peninsula Robotics Competition at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo, Washington.
This year's event included 46 teams of students from six area elementary and middle schools, who put their individual constructed robots to the test, completing a variety of challenges as judges looked on and scored their efforts.
“This is really cool stuff,” said Capt. JD Crinklaw, commander, PSNS & IMF. “I remember back when I was doing science fair projects, but it was nothing like this. This is next level.”
With teams sporting names like The Terminators, Nerd Squad and The Rizzlers, the gym was a hub of activity as programed robots sped across tables, attempting to go around — or over — various obstacles, traversing rough terrain and a variety of challenges as families and teachers cheered from the stands.
PSNS & IMF volunteers were just as busy, helping to reset tables, judge events and direct team members to where they needed to be.
PSNS & IMF STEM Outreach Team members were also available to help support learning. Erin Guzzetti, STEM Outreach coordinator, helped compile scores and provide rules clarification, while Dianna Palmero, STEM Outreach coordinator, assisted judges with answering questions and helped maintain order as excited groups of competitors waited for their turn to compete.
“Throughout the school year, PSNS & IMF volunteers have mentored and cheered students on as they learned naval concepts with hands-on projects,” Palmero said. “Students are always excited when we come in. More volunteers are always needed as our local schools look to Kitsap’s largest employer for unique STEM learning opportunities.”
That support is critical to events like the Navy Peninsula Robotics Competition. The reasons many PSNS & IMF employees choose to volunteer are varied, but most are rooted in wanting to help students learn.
“I like [promoting] STEM,” said volunteer Katie Pero, toolmaker, Shop 31, Machinists, Electroplaters, and Toolmakers. “I love seeing all the different groups and the different ways they solve problems. For me, it’s just fun to watch them get excited and enjoy what they are doing.”
The turnout for this year's event was robust, and the PSNS & IMF STEM Outreach Team is hopeful that even more volunteers will sign up to assist at upcoming events.
The next STEM event is scheduled for May 9, 11:50 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at Barker Creek Community School, in Bremerton. Employees interested in volunteering should contact one of the PSNS & IMF STEM Outreach Coordinators at 360-340-5980 or 360-340-6727, or email usn.kitsap.navshipydimfpgswa.mbx.psns-imf-stem@us.navy.mil.