DVIDS – News – Charting a direction for public health: Navy and Marine Corps Health Protection Command volunteers lead the way at Portsmouth Middle School STEAM Expo

Navy and Marine Corps Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC) volunteers participated in the Portsmouth Public Schools Middle School STEAM EXPO on March 26, 2024 in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The event worked with middle school parents and family engagement liaisons to create an engaging, educational, and interactive experience that highlights STEAM fields such as science, technology, engineering, art, and math. A variety of local presenters were on site, including Tidewater Community College, Children's Museum, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia Collaborative, and Horizons. Students engaged in hands-on his STEAM activities and were provided with boxes of produce and bags of school supplies so they could participate at multiple tables.

NMCFHPC is at the forefront of public health support for Navy and Marine Corps readiness, providing critical services such as health surveillance, epidemiological analysis, disease prevention, and public health consultation.

Each year, several NMCFHPC staff members volunteer to be part of the STEM team, actively participating in local schools and career days, and serving as guest lecturers to spread STEM awareness and knowledge. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Additionally, many participants participate in important community events throughout Hampton Roads, including the Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach, Norfolk Fleet Fest in Norfolk, Virginia, and Langley Air Show STEM Day in Hampton, Virginia, all at once. Influencing thousands of his fifth grade students.

“One of the key efforts of our STEM programs is to provide support to local and national communities, including currently underserved communities, to impact students and teachers, and to encourage engineering and science research. ,” said Levonna Sanders, NMCFHPC, Industrial Hygienist (IH). She is the NMCFHPC STEM Coordinator where she provides support to students, educators, and volunteers. “Through STEM events, the Navy hopes to inspire the future diverse and talented workforce needed to accomplish its mission.”

IH Sanders explains that she and her Navy colleagues use their knowledge of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics to address physical, chemical, biological, or environmental hazards present in the workplace. We predict, recognize, evaluate, and control. “IH also advises on how to minimize or control worker exposure to hazardous conditions and hazardous substances,” she explained.

NMCFHPC has a variety of scientists, but the STEM team ranges from information technology specialists who bring robotics, computer programming activities, and cryptography to events to physician epidemiologists who provide opportunities to create models of compounds. Consists of specialized knowledge. Biologist providing hands-on acid-base reaction activities. We also provide information about health and nutrition.

Each year, the team has several volunteers who support other STEM activities. Activities include “Drops on a Penny,” where students guess how many drops of water will fit into her penny before it spills. According to Sanders, this activity teaches hypotheses and the scientific method. It also offers other opportunities, such as working with electrical circuits and sound level meters. Sound level meters are especially exciting for students who attend noisy air shows. The team also provides education on the public health profession in hopes of inspiring the military's future in public health.

The team also provides STEM training to other groups and mentoring to educators upon request. “In 2022, we conducted a workshop with 22 youth center workers,” Sanders said. “We looked at some STEM activities, materials, methods, and taught materials to use during his STEM week at summer camp.” Additionally, the team included several selected members from various Navy backgrounds. We met with the new STEM Coordinators and discussed how to set up a STEM program under their direction.

Sanders expressed hope that STEM events will ignite a passion for learning and encourage exploration, creation, innovation and collaboration. “I hope the participants leave with some curiosity, and of course I hope they had a fun and enjoyable experience,” she said.

This year, the team will attend the Portsmouth Public Schools Medical Health Expo in April, the Tidewater Joint Warfare Symposium at Hampton Coliseum in May, and the Ocean Air Show scheduled for September. I plan to participate.