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Home : Media : News
NEWS | Oct. 11, 2018

Sailors and Civilians Race Calculator Robots With Baltimore NJROTC

By By Katie Ellis-Warfield, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs NSWC Carderock Division

BALTIMORE (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Maryland (SSBN 738) along with engineers from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division demonstrated calculator-controlled robots to students in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School on Oct. 4 as part of this year’s Maryland Fleet Week.

The calculator-controlled robots, part of the science, technology, engineering and math outreach program at Carderock, allows students to program the robots to carry out a variety of tasks.

“School visits like this allow STEM professionals to meet and work with students on engaging, hands-on activities – to help develop their problem-solving skills, build their interest in STEM and give them a sense of what STEM careers are,” said Charlotte George, Carderock’s STEM and outreach director.

“It has been a wonderful opportunity to support this educational outreach event alongside the sailors of the USS Maryland,” George said.

Sailors from USS Maryland also got a chance to talk to students and ask what life is like on a nuclear ballistic submarine.

USS Maryland Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jesse Pruett enjoyed the opportunity for his crew to be in the namesake’s state talking to students about the ship and what they do.

“Community outreach is very valuable for not just the Navy but submarine forces as we are the height of technology,” Pruett said. “It’s really great to share mine and my crew’s experiences using advanced technology on the ship to encourage students to be more involved in STEM.”

Capt. Martin Allard, NJROTC instructor at the high school said having Sailors and Navy civilians come to talk to the students plays an important role in shaping students’ futures.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for these students to see another way in the game of life,” Allard said. “All of the sailors here are engaged, talking with the students and listening, which is great.”

The NJROTC program teaches students citizenship and leadership development, as well as maritime heritage and the significance of sea power.

“One of these kids is going to end up doing great things because of a visit like this,” Allard said.

Principal of Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School Jada Langston said that their NJROTC program develops strong leaders who step up to the plate.

“One of the things that the military provides is an opportunity to develop students’ discipline, structure and gives them an opportunity to find inner confidence,” Langston said.

Maryland Fleet Week is Baltimore’s celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity for the citizens of Maryland and the city of Baltimore to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services.