Two teachers from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School assemble a Bristlebot as part of a STEM presentation at US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center.
Educators Explore STEM at Army Research Facility
Story and photo by David O'Neil, USAREC, New England Battalion
July 8, 2014
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) in Natick, Mass., was the site for the New England Battalion’s one- day educator tour June 10, which hosted a group of high school teachers.
NSSC is the only active duty facility in New England and is not widely known to the public or even those who are currently serving in the Army. NSSC has less than 150 assigned Soldiers and fewer than 2000 civilians who work in the numerous fields of research and product design.
For one day a group of 25 science and math teachers from the surrounding area got a chance to see what goes on behind the guarded fence at Natick.
What actually takes place at Natick? NSSC is the Army’s one-stop Soldier-support organization. SSC is responsible for researching, developing, fielding and managing food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and Soldier support items.
NSSC’s goal is simple: Provide America’s Soldiers with the best equipment in the world. To achieve this goal, the Natick team has consolidated full life – cycle management of Soldiers items into a one-stop, Soldier support organization.
The teachers had no idea that the Army had a research facility located in their backyard, so it was even more of a surprise to learn what takes place in the numerous laboratories. Some of the highlights included learning about Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and what is involved in packaging food that can last for three years, and how shelter systems are designed to be light weight, strong and energy efficient.
One of the more unique labs was the Doriot Climatic Chamber and Altitude Chamber which can be used to test nutrient requirements for Soldiers operating in high altitudes, such as, in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Everything done at Natick is focused on supporting the needs of Soldiers on the battlefield. During the initial briefing it was explained that the work done at Natick looks at all the factors affecting the Soldier, whether it is below the skin or outside the skin.
The Natick Soldier Systems Center also has a STEM outreach program with a mission to collaborate, motivate, educate, and communicate STEM activities in alignment with the Massachusetts Governor’s council.
Some of the STEM outreach activities include school demonstrations, school tours to the lab, teacher training courses, and internships and student employment in technical STEM roles. During spring break, a workshop is available for teachers at Natick. STEM classes are demonstrated and instruction material is made available to take back to their schools. Participation in this workshop is approved for teacher Continuing Education Units (CEU’s), which was very attractive to those attending the tour.
The educators walked away with a totally different perspective of the Army. Natick Soldier Systems Center is not an assignment someone just out of basic training is going to land, but it provides insight for those who want to get into a STEM career and possibly work for the Army.
“I’ve always had a hard time promoting the Army with my students," said Sarah Watt, a biology teacher at Brockton High School in Brockton, Mass. "But now as a result of this tour I will speak more favorably.”
Story and photo by David O'Neil, USAREC, New England Battalion
July 8, 2014
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) in Natick, Mass., was the site for the New England Battalion’s one- day educator tour June 10, which hosted a group of high school teachers.
NSSC is the only active duty facility in New England and is not widely known to the public or even those who are currently serving in the Army. NSSC has less than 150 assigned Soldiers and fewer than 2000 civilians who work in the numerous fields of research and product design.
For one day a group of 25 science and math teachers from the surrounding area got a chance to see what goes on behind the guarded fence at Natick.
What actually takes place at Natick? NSSC is the Army’s one-stop Soldier-support organization. SSC is responsible for researching, developing, fielding and managing food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and Soldier support items.
NSSC’s goal is simple: Provide America’s Soldiers with the best equipment in the world. To achieve this goal, the Natick team has consolidated full life – cycle management of Soldiers items into a one-stop, Soldier support organization.
The teachers had no idea that the Army had a research facility located in their backyard, so it was even more of a surprise to learn what takes place in the numerous laboratories. Some of the highlights included learning about Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and what is involved in packaging food that can last for three years, and how shelter systems are designed to be light weight, strong and energy efficient.
One of the more unique labs was the Doriot Climatic Chamber and Altitude Chamber which can be used to test nutrient requirements for Soldiers operating in high altitudes, such as, in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Everything done at Natick is focused on supporting the needs of Soldiers on the battlefield. During the initial briefing it was explained that the work done at Natick looks at all the factors affecting the Soldier, whether it is below the skin or outside the skin.
The Natick Soldier Systems Center also has a STEM outreach program with a mission to collaborate, motivate, educate, and communicate STEM activities in alignment with the Massachusetts Governor’s council.
Some of the STEM outreach activities include school demonstrations, school tours to the lab, teacher training courses, and internships and student employment in technical STEM roles. During spring break, a workshop is available for teachers at Natick. STEM classes are demonstrated and instruction material is made available to take back to their schools. Participation in this workshop is approved for teacher Continuing Education Units (CEU’s), which was very attractive to those attending the tour.
The educators walked away with a totally different perspective of the Army. Natick Soldier Systems Center is not an assignment someone just out of basic training is going to land, but it provides insight for those who want to get into a STEM career and possibly work for the Army.
“I’ve always had a hard time promoting the Army with my students," said Sarah Watt, a biology teacher at Brockton High School in Brockton, Mass. "But now as a result of this tour I will speak more favorably.”