Navy Mentors Engineering Students to Benefit Local Community
It’s no secret that the U.S. Navy is reaching out to inspire students of all ages in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Such was the case again Dec. 4, 2014 when Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Electrical Engineer Bill Porter attended as a student mentor at Florida State University Panama City’s (FSU PC) Engineering Project Demonstrations and Presentations.
Professor for Electrical Engineering Dr. Jeffrey Brooks at FSU PC’s School of Engineering described the event’s goal as an effort to familiarize students with a real-world experience for electrical engineers.
“This capstone project is structured much like a preliminary design review, which is required of all electrical engineers to be capable of presenting to their superiors in industry,” said Brooks. “So this semester the students haven’t yet built their projects, but they’re here to practice presenting and proposing their designs to the public.”
Brooks said professional engineers from local industry and NSWC PCD were mentoring students helping them to generate senior capstone project ideas and were also helping students throughout the school year.
“I think the Navy is definitely helping to reach out to students by giving them the opportunity to work with professionals in the field,” said Brooks. “Electrical Engineer Bill Porter is an example of how the Navy is bridging that gap.”
Porter said he and other engineers at NSWC PCD are trying to actively attract students of all ages to STEM-related studies and careers.
“America is currently experiencing a shortage in students graduating with STEM-related degrees who can acquire a security clearance and go to work for the Department of Defense as scientists and engineers,” Porter said. “By our warfare center’s STEM professionals volunteering to mentor local students in STEM-related studies and activities, we can help inspire them to become more actively engaged in their academic studies, especially those related to STEM disciplines.”
Porter said in this case, he saw a way to mentor senior electrical engineering students by proposing a challenge that would enrich their application experience in project design and simultaneously benefit the community’s local Science and Discovery Museum.
“Basically, I saw a senior class that needed help in generating ideas for electrical engineering senior design projects, specifically projects that would help them acquire some real-world engineering application experience,” said Porter. “I also saw a Museum that had a low budget, but a need for new fresh science and discovery exhibits to inspire children’s appreciation for STEM-related subjects and to learn that science can be fun.”
FSU PC senior electrical engineering student Jonah Cleveland explained how he and his team of engineering students were meeting that challenge by designing a capstone project called Dash and Illuminated Creature Exhibit (DICE).
“The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Floridais making a new themed room that focuses on Florida Wildlife and environment,” said Cleveland. “So, with our DICE exhibit, children will be able to choose an animal native to Florida’s wildlife and then actually be able to race a strip of illuminated LED lights on a track, which will help the children learn how each animal chosen has a distinct pattern of movement and running characteristics.”
Executive Director of the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest FloridaLinda Macbeth said the project was beneficial for all parties involved.
“I’m obviously happy with the Navy’s mentor relationship with FSU Electrical Engineering students. It’s been an enjoyable and a learning experience for the students, me, and Bill Porter. In this type of partnership, the Navy, FSU PC and the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida – including the local community – benefit from this project,” said Macbeth. “This is advantageous for everyone in the community, especially our next generation of leaders – some of the children inspired by such exhibits.”
Macbeth said it was a community networking experience that helps to further educate graduating seniors of today as well as future generations of students.
“What is unique about this program is that most students, who are involved, live in the local area and intend on staying in the community. So this group of engineers, who went to school together in Bay County, grew up here and will ultimately bring their grandchildren back to visit someday. Projects like this are a real boon for the whole community.”
Florida State University Panama City senior electrical engineering students gather with Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) Electrical Engineer Bill Porter and Executive Director Linda Macbeth of the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida by the engineering students’ senior capstone engineering project, the Dashing Illuminated Creature Exhibit, which the students plan on donating to the museum this coming spring. Standing left to right are: Jonah Cleveland, Gavin Taylor, NSWC PCD Electrical Engineer Bill Porter and Museum Executive Director Linda Macbeth. (Photo by Dan Broadstreet, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)