Photo By Danielle Lofton | VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Marie...... read more read more
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) STEM team hosted a Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) exhibit during Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana’s 2023 Air Show Sept. 15 – 17.
The event, which includes static displays, food and activities, is a three-day long air show with the first day being a STEM day reserved for local students and NAS Oceana families.
“STEM isn’t only about engineering, it’s about discipline,” said Arvin Persaud, coordinator for MARMC’s STEM team and a mechanical engineering technician in MARMC’s Production Research and Planning Division. “It’s about mental discipline and educational discipline. We found that when you have a STEM background starting in middle school or earlier, as you get into high school and beyond, you’re more focused.”
As one of the largest employers of engineers in the area, MARMC’s STEM volunteers recognize the need for engineers in the future. Unfortunately, not every child who could potentially have a bright future in STEM has access to the proper resources or is aware that programs like STEM exist. It is the STEM team’s mission to reach out, motivate and inspire the younger generation to be interested in STEM and help generate new technologies and ideas.
“I think this is a wonderful event, and such a wonderful opportunity for us,” said Larissa Looney, a teacher from G.A. Treakle Elementary in Chesapeake, Virginia who attended the event with her students. “These kids are getting exposed to a lot of different things that are so beneficial that they can take back into the classroom. It’s very interactive and engaging. These activities cater to things that interest them.”
The air show proved to not only be beneficial for the local children who attended but had its benefits for the volunteers as well.
“I volunteer for the STEM events because I wasn’t getting that sense of purpose and sense of accomplishment that I needed in my life,” said Electricians Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Dylan Cotter. “Doing this, and working with the kids, it is selfish for me. I needed this in my life. We do so much in our local community and even partner with a local food bank. Every month, we go and give out food. Seeing our impact on the community is amazing.”
To volunteer on MARMC’s STEM team or to request for them to visit your school, contact Arvin Persaud at Arvin.v.persaud.civ@us.navy.mil
MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private sector maintenance and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2023 15:48 |
| Story ID: | 453902 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MARMC's STEM Team Participates in NAS Oceana Air Show, by Danielle Lofton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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