FLC | NSWC Crane adapts STEM program for remote learning, COVID-19 response

NSWC Crane adapts STEM program for remote learning, COVID-19 response

April 23, 2020

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program has responded to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order.

The STEM Program, which was designed to provide hands-on experiences, has taken its programming virtually to continue to provide educational opportunities for housebound students and has also leveraged a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to 3D print face shields for healthcare facilities.

One of the program's regular events is a field trip in which classes visit the STEM laboratory at WestGate Academy. The STEM lab includes a wide variety of materials and state-of-the art equipment: multiple 3D printers, laser cutting boards, and tools to teach coding and robotics.

With schools conducting coursework remotely at this time, Tina Closser, head of NSWC Crane’s STEM Program, says she and her colleagues are providing ways students can continue to learn problem-solving skills without access to the lab.

“We’re adapting our normal grade one-through-six field trip to a virtual form,” Closser said. “For those schools that had previously signed up for field trips this year, we are continuing to provide them the programming virtually. If we still have availability, we’ll offer programming to more schools.”

Closser says there was a need to continue to provide the unique, hands-on programming. They adapted their activities to allow students to participate outside the classroom and lab environments and to think outside the box with everyday objects.

“We had a teacher contact us and ask if it was a possibility, and we were game,” Closser said. “So we had to rethink our activities so the kids could do them with materials they would likely have at home. It’s all material they have, but we’re trying to get them to look at it a little differently. We’re just giving them prompts to do things in a friendly environment.”

Closser says this is their way of supporting teachers and the community.

“The activities themselves aren’t overly complicated,” she said. “I believe it’s important to help teachers who may be stressed trying to make impactful lessons virtually, and it may help the kids to learn from different people on the screen.”

Closser says the 3D printed face shields are personal protective gear (PPE) for medical professionals that need them. The program has sent several face shields to Sullivan County Hospital and 24 to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Indianapolis.

“They are PPE meant to protect the face from any contagions that medical professionals come into close contact with when dealing with patients,” she said. “We didn’t design it; we used an approved National Institute of Health design and printed the visor part on our 3D printer. The clear shield part is made from .020 inch binder protectors. We’re waiting for more requests.”

Closser says they learned about the need for the face shields a few weeks ago and used a CRADA with a regional industry partner in place to serve the healthcare community.

“It’s important to be a good community partner and put our expertise and facilities to work for them,” Closser said. “Especially since our STEM lab wasn’t currently being used by students, we were able to make the best use of the space and equipment to serve the needs of the community.”