SWFLANT Encourages Future Innovators on National STEM Day

08 November 2024

From Ashley Beruman

WOODBINE, Ga.—Volunteers from the Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic (SWFLANT) visited Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School on National science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Day. National STEM Day occurs annually on November 8, and aims to inspire and excite students about STEM and the more than 240 STEM-related career paths in the technical fields.

During the event, first through fifth-grade students rotated through the school’s STEM classroom while SWFLANT volunteers discussed how STEM principles are used in their own jobs; from engineering and logistics to crane operations and more -- enabling them to perform critical work in support of national defense.

“[STEM] encourages problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity,” said Chelsey Steffen, a SWFLANT Security Specialist and school liaison. “STEM in elementary schools sparks the minds of our future generation and their interest in STEM-related careers.”

By connecting their jobs to the students' interests, the volunteers helped students see how STEM principles are relevant regardless of what they choose to do in the future.
Stacey Hines, who works in SWFLANT’s Safety Department, shared a story of how his own childhood passion for tinkering, exploring, and creating led him to pursue a career with the federal government.

“When I was about your age, I couldn’t wait until an appliance in my house broke,” said Hines to the third-grade students. “I enjoyed taking things apart and seeing how they worked.”

Throughout the day, the students were encouraged to ask questions and think about how STEM is present in their hobbies like when building model rockets, playing video games, or even baking cookies.
Steffen said engaging in discussions like these with students in local schools is an important opportunity for children who may not have regular exposure to STEM principles. It encourages communities and students to dream big and envision a future as the next generation of leading problem solvers for the Navy.

“You’re the future,” said Robert Shepard, a SWFLANT crane operator. “Whatever idea you have, you can make it—even if it doesn’t exist yet, you can create it.”

SWFLANT’s STEM Team of volunteers provides STEM education for students throughout three local counties. SWFLANT is a tenant command at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, whose mission is to deliver safe, secure and effective sea-based strategic deterrence to all east coast Ohio-class submarines.

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