Community Partnership

A key piece of VMASC's mission is to provide our expertise and technological resources to organizations in the Hampton Roads community to encourage regional growth development. Our research faculty, staff, and project scientists work with local governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), and community leaders to create a dialogue for accessible digital transformation.

 
 
jessica-johnson-3

JESSICA JOHNSON

Director of STEM and Student Engagement; Digital Ship Curriculum Coordinator

Jessica Johnson is the Director of STEM and Student Engagement for VMASC. She leads operations of STEM outreach, programming, and student engagement for VMASC in coordination with regional, state, and national education partners. Her role affords opportunities to work with diverse research faculty, project scientists, principal investigators, academic partners, industry partners, and the community on STEM outreach and programming.

 

 

STEM OUTREACH

We believe that as technology evolves, the skills to maintain and enhance such tools and applications evolve with it.

As a critical piece of VMASC's mission, STEM outreach is a valuable task undertaken by engaging with educators in our community and by providing students with hands-on programs and multiple specialized experiences throughout the year. We collaborate with several STEM-related partners such as the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics (STEAM) Academy, Digital Shipbuilding, and the Brooks Crossing Innovation Laboratory to create, host, and teach STEM-based curriculums through countless (K-12) classes and summer camps. Our mission is to enhance learning and inspire a life-long interest in STEM-related activities alongside major defense and industrial bases to cultivate relationships and opportunities with STEM job avenues for summer internships and week-long shadowing assignments.

EricVIASTEAM

chief officer or captain on deck of vessel or ship watching digital tablet

WORKFORCE OUTREACH

We contribute to the evolution of the workforce through training and workplace practice modernization.

With the world becoming a digital space, it is vital to maintain the functionality and safety of these spaces. At VMASC, we are committed to doing so through thorough research and digitally transformative collaborations with local industries and community partners to evolve the workforce training and practices into the digital age. Within the maritime sector, VMASC has developed two major workforce training programs: The Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE) and the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Workforce Program (VDSP). A third workforce program, the Coastal Virginia Maritime Advancement Map (COVA Map), is currently in the works of being developed.

 

Community Partnership

A key piece of VMASC's mission is to provide our expertise and technological resources to organizations in the Hampton Roads community to encourage regional growth development. Our research faculty, staff, and project scientists work with local governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), and community leaders to create a dialogue for accessible digital transformation.

1573251172222

DR. BRIDGET GILES

Assistant Director of Special Programs & STEM Outreach; Research Assistant Professor

Dr. Bridget Giles leads operations of STEM outreach activities and workforce readiness programs for VMASC and the Brooks Crossing Innovation Laboratory. She also leads MODSIM World STEM outreach activities. MODSIM World is a unique multi-disciplinary conference for the exchange of modeling and simulation (M&S) knowledge, research, and technology. These events provide opportunities for high school students throughout the Hampton Roads region to participate in the interchange of information, knowledge, and technology related to M&S. Dr. Giles additionally leads a growing partnership between VMASC and the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula and manages VMASC summer camps.


EricVIASTEAM

STEM OUTREACH

We believe that as technology evolves, the skills to maintain and enhance such tools and applications evolve with it.

As a critical piece of VMASC's mission, STEM outreach is a valuable task undertaken by engaging with educators in our community and by providing students with hands-on programs and multiple specialized experiences throughout the year. We collaborate with several STEM-related partners such as the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics (STEAM) Academy, Digital Shipbuilding, and the Brooks Crossing Innovation Laboratory to create, host, and teach STEM-based curriculums through countless (K-12) classes and summer camps. Our mission is to enhance learning and inspire a life-long interest in STEM-related activities alongside major defense and industrial bases to cultivate relationships and opportunities with STEM job avenues for summer internships and week-long shadowing assignments.

More on STEM Outreach


chief officer or captain on deck of vessel or ship watching digital tablet

WORKFORCE OUTREACH

We contribute to the evolution of the workforce through training and workplace practice modernization.

With the world becoming a digital space, it is vital to maintain the functionality and safety of these spaces. At VMASC, we are committed to doing so through thorough research and digitally transformative collaborations with local industries and community partners to evolve the workforce training and practices into the digital age. Within the maritime sector, VMASC has developed two major workforce training programs: The Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE) and the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Workforce Program (VDSP). A third workforce program, the Coastal Virginia Maritime Advancement Map (COVA Map), is currently in the works of being developed.

More on Workforce Outreach