District interns reach out to area high school students

Posted July 12, 2010
By Brittany Brown
Norfolk District Public Affairs

07/12/2010 - NORFOLK — This fall Hampton Roads high school students will be exposed to a new side of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as interns launch an initiative that will expose students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM.

The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's high school outreach program is designed to educate students about the benefits of pursuing STEM-related academic studies, including research opportunities, jobs, internships and higher education.

The program is a comprehensive effort cultivating high school students to STEM and providing guidance from the perspective of district interns who have already completed the program, said Danit Carrier Tal, project manager for the new initiative.

Along with a team of a dozen up-and-coming district leaders, Carrier Tal has worked the past few months to lay the groundwork for the program under the direction of seasoned leaders at the district. One of which is Keith Lockwood, chief of the technical support section, who launched an integrated internship program in January 2008 to recruit student interns at the professional, graduate and under-graduate levels.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity to help the team of interns launch their high school outreach program. These young leaders, who all started off as a part of the integrated internship program, are definitely taking the district to new heights when it comes to growing our connection to younger generations," said Lockwood.

Expanding the recruitment and hiring processes of the integrated internship program, the newly developed high school outreach program is a means of exposing local high school students to STEM. A tri-fold brochure created by the team outlines high school level science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses to help prepare students for college-level courses or the workforce.

The goal of the high school outreach program, unlike the internship program, is to increase the number of high school students with interest and competencies in STEM, which may ultimately increase the number of college graduates and professionals with the technical competencies that comprise the Corps of Engineers' workforce.

Carrier Tal is a prime example of a success from the district's internship program. Since joining the Corps of Engineers', Carrier Tal led a successful initiative that resulted in Norfolk District being chosen by Inside Business as the 2010 Best Place to Work in Hampton Roads award. A similar initiative led by Carrier Tal, who works as a management analyst with the engineering branch, led to two environmental sustainability awards for the district from the City of Norfolk.

Another district success story who notes the importance of STEM class offerings in high school settings is Drew Johnson.

"I went to Cox High School in Virginia Beach and they offered basic technical drawing, which led to my enrollment in an architecture class as well as an engineering class. It was in these classes when I realized I wanted to be a structural engineer. Here I am now, working in the structural section at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Johnson.

To get the new outreach initiative started, Johnson and his fellow team members are scheduled to make a presentation at Nauticus, a maritime-themed science center and museum in Norfolk July 13. Area students attending the museum's water scholars oceanography camp will receive a 90 minute presentation by district interns working in diverse STEM-related jobs, including staff accountant, environmental scientist, program analyst and engineer-in-training.

In August, team members will follow up with area high school principals and guidance counselors to arrange similar presentations for students attending Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News and York County schools. Each team member serves as a point of contact for specific school districts.

"We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to provide guidance and mentorship to students at a very critical time in their lives as they make decisions about joining the workforce or going to college," said Carrier Tal.

Engineer-in-training and fellow team member Alicia Farrow echoes Carrier Tal's sentiments. "Knowledge about STEM programs is extremely important because it not only informs students about science, math, engineering and technology, but the program also keeps those students who already have a passion in one or more of those fields a career choice and opens the door for career opportunities."