Photo By Chalene Simmons | Partnering with other participants, students work together to solve stimulating math...... read more read more
By Kristin Behrle, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs
CARDEROCK, Md. – More than 180 middle-school students put their math skills to the test at the 14th annual Carderock Math Contest (CMC) on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division in West Bethesda, Maryland.
The contest, which is part of Carderock’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach, drew bright young minds from local schools across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. They faced a series of challenging MATHCOUNTS-style exams designed to evaluate their speed, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
The day offered more than just problem-solving. Students participated in individual and team written exams, heard from two-time USA Memory Champion Ron White as a guest speaker, toured Carderock’s cutting-edge labs and facilities, and witnessed a live, bracket-style “Countdown Round” competition featuring the day’s top scorers.
“We’re ecstatic to have so many bright young minds who are all here excited about math,” said Capt. Chris Matassa, Carderock’s commanding officer, in his opening remarks. “Carderock is a place where science, mathematics, and engineering come to life, and you’ll be able to see some of that today. There are people of various disciplines and backgrounds that work here with us, and we all join forces to solve real-world problems and develop new ideas, all in support of our Navy.”
What sets the Carderock Math Contest apart is its focus on connecting abstract equations to tangible real-world applications. By engaging with Carderock’s STEM professionals and touring their workspaces, students gain valuable insight into how math fuels innovation.
During afternoon tours, the students explored Carderock’s world-class facilities to include the Additive Manufacturing Research Lab, the Non-Destructive Evaluation Lab, the Magnetics Lab, the Fire Safety Lab, and the Subsonic Wind Tunnel. These small group interactions provided a unique opportunity for the students to ask questions and engage with subject matter experts in their fields.
“It’s an honor supporting the Carderock STEM program, I love seeing kids grow in their math skills,” said CMC committee member Andy Loh, a customer advocate at Carderock.
The contest’s success relies heavily on the dedication of employee volunteers who are passionate about inspiring the next generation. The event serves to spark students’ interest in various science and engineering fields, highlighting potential STEM career paths crucial for maritime innovation for the Navy and the revitalization of American shipbuilding.
“It’s one of the most enjoyable things I do all year,” said Dr. Nicholas Jones, a materials engineer in Carderock’s Physical Metallurgy and Fire Branch and a CMC planning committee member. “The planning committee is really fun, but still efficient. The visiting students are amazing and bring youthful energy and excitement to our base. We get volunteers from all aspects of the base: technical, financial, administrative, facilities, and the front office. It’s not every day that you get to casually talk with the Captain and the Chief Technology Officer.”
The day reached its climax with the top 16 students from the morning’s individual competition squaring off in a fast-paced, bracket-style countdown round. Capt. Matassa and Carderock’s Chief of Staff Stephanie Feulner took turns reading the questions, building anticipation in the room.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” Feulner told the students before reading the countdown questions.
In a thrilling display of mathematical prowess, the countdown narrowed the field to the top three competitors. Ultimately, Alice Wang from Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia, emerged as the first-place winner.
Elissa Trueman, Carderock’s Chief Technology Officer, attended the contest for the first time this year and was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm. “I think these kids are amazing, and they’re going to do amazing things,” Trueman said.
She underscored the vital role of STEM events like this in nurturing future talent. “The reason this is so important for Carderock, and our mission, is because getting students interested in all the science that goes into building Navy ships, in middle school, is essential to building our future workforce, and building kids who actually want to come and do great things for our Navy and our country.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2025 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 495135 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Carderock Math Contest: Cultivating the Next Generation of STEM Professionals Through a Love for Math, by Kristin Behrle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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