EMBRY-RIDDLE HOSTS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH CAMP

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 26 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release:

Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets participated in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) seminar, also known as STEM Camp, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University June 17-22.

More than 200 cadets from around the world, including Japan, traveled to Daytona Beach for the weeklong leadership seminar during which the cadets conducted hands-on experiments using math, science and aerospace technology concepts.

"The Embry-Riddle STEM Seminar provides NJROTC cadets exposure to a college environment and a college curriculum," said Mark Watson, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) NJROTC operations manager. "The intended outcome of the seminar is to heighten a diverse group of NJROTC cadets' interest in pursuing a STEM-related college education.

NSTC, headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., oversees more than 600 NJROTC units worldwide. NJROTC is a citizenship program that instills service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in students in United States secondary educational institutions.

During the seminar at Embry-Riddle, the cadets accessed trainers used by the university in its air traffic control tower, spatial disorientation, aircraft maintenance and flight courses. They practiced on eight flight simulators that offered many different scenarios, such as landing on an aircraft carrier.

"This week was awesome from the flight simulators to learning about meteorology," said Cadet Ensign Audrey Jolly, a senior from Gloucester High School in Gloucester, Va., who plans on pursuing the aviation field with a ROTC scholarship. "I have always been interested in aviation and coming to Embry-Riddle helped me learn more about the field and college life."

Cadet Ensign Tyler Kerbs, a senior from Zion-Benton Township High School in Zion, Ill., is also looking into the aviation field.

"I'm really hoping to be a Naval Aviator and coming to Embry-Riddle and getting in the simulators was great. It was also great to meet the diverse group of cadets from across the country."

"This STEM camp makes me want to apply for the NROTC scholarship and attend Embry-Riddle," said Cadet Ensign Natalie Galindo, a senior from W.B. Ray High School in Corpus-Christi, Texas. "This was such a great learning experience and the aviation maintenance field may be in my future."

This is the fourth year Embry-Riddle has hosted a STEM seminar, which is one of the largest NJROTC programs along with Purdue University and the University of San Diego.

"In coming years the demand for individuals with a college education in a scientific field of study is expected to grow and at the same time there is projected to be a shortage of qualified scientists in the United States in certain fields of study," said Watson. "Therefore, STEM educational advancement is important to America and to the Navy.

"Naval Service Training Command and the NJROTC program are proud to be part of the Navy's effort to inspire students to pursue an advanced science education through programs like the STEM program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University." For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at [email protected]