BLACKSBURG, Va. — For years the U.S. Army has worked to entice schoolchildren to develop interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  Under a $17.2 million grant, Virginia Tech and partners will determine which programs work best not only in training teachers but also for children from fifth grade up.

Competitions, internships, mentoring, and science fairs are among the high-profile Army-sponsored STEM activities. For instance, the Junior Solar Sprint, orchestrated by NESEA, teaches middle school age students about scientific inquiry; properties of materials; photovoltaic cells; forces and motion; electricity and magnetism; ratios and geometry, and craftsmanship all through a uniquely crafted competition – design, build, and race the most innovative, speedy model solar electric car you can!

“It would be great to know if that middle-school child who worked on a solar electric car went on to become a math teacher or a corporate physicist or a Department of Defense engineer,” says Vice President for Outreach and International Affairs John Dooley. “Training teachers and fostering public-school education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is part of Virginia Tech’s strategic plan, and this grant taps into our expertise to help develop that workforce.”

Workforce concerns rise from a projected shortfall in scientists and engineers, both at the Department of Defense and throughout the nation. The Army Educational Outreach Program piques student interest early, enticing more college students to choose STEM disciplines. Under Virginia Tech’s leadership, three important milestones will occur: marketing, data collection, and measurement.

“The U.S. Army has long recognized that a scientifically and technologically literate citizenry is our nation’s best hope for a secure, rewarding, and successful future,” says Ashley Wade, youth science program manager in the Army Research Laboratory’s Army Research Office. “For more than 50 years, the Army has supported a wide range of educational opportunities in STEM for our youth and their teachers. We are excited to partner with Virginia Tech and other consortium members to enhance and grow our STEM education outreach programs.”

Virginia Tech offices working under the three-year grant are Continuing and Professional Education, which is leading the project; the Office of Academic Assessment; and the university’s VT-STEM initiative.

Consortium partners are:

• The University of New Hampshire’s Leitzel Center, which operates a strong Teach-the-Teacher program and other STEM initiatives
• George Washington University, which will have responsibility for four STEM programs including math-and-science internships in Army laboratories for students in grades seven to 12
• Junior Technical Engineering Society, which runs summer programs called UNITE for economically disadvantaged high-school students interested in engineering
• Academy of Applied Science, which will be responsible for four STEM programs including eCybermission
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, which runs the Junior Solar Sprint