BALTIMORE, Md. –
The future of the U.S. Navy fleet depends on the innovators of tomorrow. This reality drove an immersive educational mission at the SEED School of Maryland on May 20, an event organized by the school where Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, participated as a featured guest.
Hosted by the school, the Tech Day allowed Carderock’s Strategic Education Outreach Team to introduce 158 middle school students to the maritime field through hands-on robotics. For the visiting personnel, the event served as a visible reminder that engaging youth today continues to shape how the Navy will operate tomorrow.
For the Carderock team — Dr. Shane Wines, Ian Mangum, and Jacquelyn Southerland — the mission was about bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world engineering. That effort reflects the forward-leaning outreach defining Carderock’s role in cultivating broader scientific and engineering talent.
Carderock’s involvement in STEM education traces back to a fundamental need: inspiring the next generation of professionals to understand how advanced systems will behave in the fleet. While schools teach theoretical math and science, real-world applications are where naval engineering expertise becomes essential.
That intersection of advanced robotics and maritime challenges defined the core of Carderock's contribution to the Tech Day experience.
A centerpiece of the visit was an introduction to “Gromit Taylor,” a Boston Dynamics Spot robotic dog that the Disruptive Technology Lab at NSWC Carderock provided. The demonstration addressed a critical concept: how modern warfighters might operate alongside unmanned systems in hazardous environments.
By watching the system maneuver, students recognized its potential. One student noted the robot could navigate "tiny spaces humans can't go to," helping keep warfighters safe by "not having to send people out and send the robots out" instead.
The interaction also prompted students to envision how such technology responds to the Navy's unique maritime environment.
"One way engineers may use Gromit is for mapping the ocean floor," another student observed. "The robot can travel underwater using sonar and sensors to create detailed maps of the seabed."
These educational efforts required a level of hands-on engagement that went beyond simple observation. To achieve this, the Carderock team challenged the students to step into the role of junior engineers.
The students utilized the Ozobot Ari, a compact, Android-powered programmable coding robot. Featuring an interactive touchscreen, the platform is designed to make learning computer science and core STEM subjects highly engaging. Operating as junior engineers, the students used the Ozobot Ari to conduct a mobility test, a speed test, and a combined performance test. The effort demonstrated how writing code translates directly into tangible robotic actions.
For the Carderock team, attending the school's event represents the culmination of ongoing efforts to bring complex technology into the classroom. It was more than just a demonstration; it was a moment of empowerment for the youth. That engagement reflects a broader reality: while naval technology continues to evolve, the Navy constantly needs brilliant minds to develop, test, and operate it.
From foundational coding exercises to advanced robotic demonstrations, Carderock’s role as a guest educator provides the inspiration to bridge the gap between middle school classrooms and the future maritime environment. As future fleets push farther into an era of autonomous systems and advanced engineering, that early inspiration will continue to be essential to ensure the Navy maintains its technological edge and defends the nation.