Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
ODON – Earlier this month, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane hosted its annual STEM open house with nearly 600 students in attendance. The open house was attended by middle and high school students from surrounding counties. They represented school districts and homeschool groups.
Nearly 20 junior and senior engineering students from Shoals High School were among the participants. SHS agriculture and engineering teacher Megan Hawkins said the students learned about the many jobs and careers that are STEM-based.
Students learned about Crane’s role in electronic warfare, radar systems, and night vision technology. Students could check out a military vehicle and they could take a turn at a robotics demonstration.
For Crane, events such as the STEM open house are extremely important as Crane continues to build the talent pipeline necessary for its future.
Hawkins said it was Shoals High School’s second time to attend the open house and her first.
“I was impressed with the interesting opportunities at Crane,” she said. “And with the organization of the open house by the WestGate education group.”
The STEM open house also helped connect the students to work they are doing in class with a real-world application.
“We do some 3-D printing and the students could see what we’re doing in class and where those skills could lead down the road,” Hawkins said.
According to a press release from Crane, “This was a great opportunity to showcase the cutting edge technology at NSWC Crane, but also a time to inform and educate students about STEM opportunities available to them throughout the year. Some of these opportunities include camps, science fairs, and the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP). Additionally, students received presentations offering valuable insights into prospective career opportunities.”