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Team MDL hosts STEM Expo for local schools

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tara A. Williamson
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Roughly 160 students from three local high schools, Manchester, Pemberton and Northern Burlington, ventured to new classrooms to attend the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Exposition June 4 here.

This year's STEM Expo brought together units from across the installation to demonstrate the advancements in military systems to the kids, giving them hands-on examples of how what they learn in class is applied to the real world.

The Army National Guard exhibited simulated tactical maneuvers and aircraft training at the New Jersey Army National Guard Joint Training and Training Development Center, or Battle Lab, for the kids on Dix; Naval Air Systems Command from Lakehurst helped them build marshmallow catapults; the 305th Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Airmen showcased night vision and water survival tools; the 621st Contingency Response Wing demonstrated the ability to create a base from the ground up; Civil Air Patrol held an aerodynamics flight simulator; and the 305th Air Mobility Wing opened KC-10 Extender and C-17 Globemaster static displays for the kids to explore.

"The kids get to see what they're learning about in school and how it's practically used in the real world," said Capt. Elizabeth Welch, 305th AMW innovation and efficiency chief and coordinator of the STEM Expo. "They're in science class and they see physics, chemistry and all these things they're learning about and how they're are applied on a daily basis."

The students were able to see three stations each before breaking for lunch where Col. John Price, 305th AMW commander, gave remarks and mingled with them to hear their thoughts about the day and their futures.

"I think any time we can get local community members, especially the younger generation, out to the base, they can see we're normal people just like they are; we've just chosen a life of service," Price said. "They can see why we dress like we do and behave like we do and it normalizes that relationship. There are so few service members out in the general populace that it's great having events like this where we can have a shared conversation and they can ask us questions."

The expo featured not only the stations to see the capabilities of the units on base, but during lunch service members from each active duty branch and their Reserve and Guard components were able to share potential military career opportunities available with the students.

"I had already made my decision, but today was nice to be able to see different systems in action," said Darrin Bridge, Pemberton High School senior, referring to his choice to enlist in the Army Reserve and pursue a degree while attending a Reserve Officer Training Corps program. "Everyone I've talked to today has been very pleased about their military service. This is a good experience for high schools, and I hope they continue these events."

"This truly was a joint venture," Welch said. "People hear McGuire or Dix or Lakehurst and think of the respective branches, but this expo brought every entity on the base together to show these kids what not only the military does, but what the joint base itself offers."