STEM Outreach

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. 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.

Workforce Outreach

VIRGINIA DIGITAL SHIPBUILDING PROGRAM (VDSP)

Creating integrated technology curricula for our future engineers and sparking a life-long interest in the STEM field.

The Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Workforce Program (VDSP) is a major VMASC partner in the STEM field. A significant piece of the VDSP mission is to link technologically driven shipyard careers to students of all ages by creating custom STEM-based curricula that show potential job avenues in the STEM field and also technologies that advance their overall knowledge and skill base. These curriculums are taught either in the classroom or through special camps and events held throughout the year. Currently, VDSP has 14 STEM programs working with multiple public-school systems, major industry partners, and education associations across our region and the U.S.

VDSP Website

	Description	Partnering Organizations
Engineering Week	Engineering design challenges/curriculum/outreach for over 600 middle and high school students	New College Institute, Martinsville, Virginia
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast	Engineering design challenges/curriculum/outreach	GSCC
Math Festival	Engineering design challenge for 3rd graders through 8th grade	ODU Math Festival
STARBASE	Creating/re-vamping STEM and science curriculum for all 4th through 6th graders	Portsmouth Public Schools
STEAM on Spectrum	Creation of STEM maritime based activities at Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab	VSRA, HII-NNS, Hampton City Schools, Newport News Schools
STEM Ahoy!	Held from April 16, 2020 to June 11, 2020. Weekly engineering design challenges with videos, free resources, literacy connection, and STEM career pathway links	Local Hampton Roads school divisions, National Parent Teacher Association, Virginia Ship Repair Association, Mariner’s Museum, Bridging the Gap Youth Program, HII-NNS, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Serious Games, New College Institute, Stafford Co Schools, North Carolina school divisions, Pennsylvania school divisions, Arizona school divisions, California school divisions, Florida school divisions
STEM Career Fairs	Outreach for STEM careers in maritime industry	Newport News Schools, Hampton City Schools, Chesapeake Schools, Va Beach Schools, Suffolk Schools, Isle of Wight, Norfolk Schools; Southhampton Co
STEM Curriculum; Guest Speakers; STEM Units; 3D Modeling Workshops	Engineering design challenges for maritime high school students	Hampton HS/Maritime Academy
STEM Under Construction	Teacher Professional Development series at Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab	Newport News Public Schools
STEM Workforce Day	STEM outreach; engineering design challenge	Norfolk Naval Shipyard
STEM+ Families Program	Created after-school program for National Parent Teacher Association for elementary school and middle school students (Year 1 of a 3 year partnership)	National Parent Teacher Association and participating schools across the United States
STEM-ulating Under, Over the Water	STEM outreach to maritime, engineering, and naval professions; engineering design challenges showcased	Hampton Roads Workforce Council cancelled due to COVID-19
Up Against the Wall DSB workshop	Engineering design challenges utilizing virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D modeling	Newport News Schools, Hampton City Schools, Chesapeake Schools, Va Beach Schools, Suffolk Schools, Isle of Wight, Stafford Co, Williamsburg/James City Co, Orlando Florida, Southwestern Higher Education Center; HII-NNS; Southwest Co Schools, Rockingham Co Schools; TNCC; TCC
Youth Builders	Engineering design challenges/curriculum	HII-NNS Apprentice School

137+

Training and Education Events Hosted

1681+

Total Participants Engaged

BROOKS CROSSING INNOVATION LAB (BC iLab)

Bringing digital accessibility and transformation of learning and career readiness to an under-resourced and socio-economic challenged region.

The Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab is another major VMASC partner in the STEM field. Between March and May of 2018, Old Dominion University met with various stakeholders in the region to construct the K-12 STEM education component of the Brooks Crossing iLab. The intent was to increase awareness of, interest in, and readiness for digital and other STEM-related careers in line with Newport News Shipbuilding's recruitment needs and the community's economic and workforce development needs. Their strategic focus is on increasing STEM education opportunities for Newport News, Hampton, and other regional K-12 students alongside the region's primary defense and industrial bases.

Brooks Crossing iLab is in a disadvantaged community where unemployment is twice the state average (approximately 7%). More than 52% of K-12 students are economically disadvantaged, and more than 75% of K-12 students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, according to 2018-2019 data. Addressing digital inclusion barriers to ensure the benefits of technology as realized by under-resourced students is a primary focus at Brooks Crossing iLab. A transformative educational outreach facility, Brooks Crossing iLab is bringing free technology, internet accessibility, and next-generation technology-infused curriculum, to improve students' STEM proficiency and to upskill individual learners for success in a digital economy.

Brooks Crossing Website