NAWCWD takes science, technology into local classrooms

John Lelis, left, looks on as David Brimlow uses compressed carbon dioxide to launch foam rockets in a simulation of how hostile forces use rocket propelled grenades in Iraq and Afghanistan during a technology showcase at Burroughs High School. Photo by Dan O'Connor.

Date: 17-Jun-08
News Release Number: ECL200806171
By Renee Hatcher NAWCWD Public Affairs

Ron Cram tells Burroughs High School students that "math is your friend" as his explains how the Sidewinder missile's tracking and guidance systems work. Photo by Dan O'Connor.

Welby Peters and Frank Alonge demonstrate how a low-cost, expendable robot was designed and built at NAWCWD to help in the collection and disposal of enexploded submunitions. Photo by Dan O'Connor.

NAWCWD scientists and engineers conducted a technology and engineering showcase May 23 in an effort to expose Sherman E. Burroughs High School (BHS) students to the exciting opportunities that are available to them in a variety of technical careers.

"This is the most productive collaboration that I've ever seen between the base and the school," said Joanna Rummer, superintendent for the Sierra Sands Unified School District. "I am very pleased to see an alliance being developed between the young scientists at China Lake and our students."

The showcase consisted of seven displays straight out of NAWCWD labs and facilities. Ron Cram and Pat Donohue used a full-scale, inert mock-up Sidewinder to show how the missile's tracking and guidance systems work.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to stir their minds, and hopefully inspire them to want to find out more about science and technology," said Donohue, an electronics engineer.

Part of the Sidewinder demonstration included an infrared camera feeding images to a display monitor. This caught the attention of many students who were fascinated by their own thermal images in the monitor.

"Go ahead and play," Donohue encouraged one student who was fooling around in front of the camera, "you might learn something."

Shirli Sishc, an electronics engineer with NAWCWD's Rapid Mobilization Investigative Team (RMIT), presented a linear actuator demonstration, and talked about how muscle wires are currently used in robotics applications.

"I really want to help the girls get excited about engineering, and show them that they can do this kind of work too," Sishc said.

Tricia Allen, a biology teacher at BHS, said she was having as much fun as the students. "This is really good for the kids because it shows them what they can actually do with a degree in science," she said.

A quad-rotor hovering craft known as Observer was another one of the demonstrations. China Lake engineers began developing Observer in response to a call for a quick reconnaissance and surveillance vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system.

"A lot of people think that engineers sit in cubicles all day," said Mike Pogge, an electronics engineer and a 1983 BHS graduate. "I came out today to give the students a new way to look at engineering opportunities. I want them to know that we get to play with and build a lot of fun stuff."

John Lelis and David Brimlow showed how several training tools are used to help defeat the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are used so commonly by the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Using compressed carbon dioxide and foam rockets, they demonstrated how an attack by hostile forces using rocket propelled grenades can be simulated.

"It's nice to come back and get some of the young people interested in the work that we do at the Weapons Division," said Lelis, lead RMIT technician for IED training devices and a 1982 BHS graduate.

Welby Peters and BHS graduate Frank Alonge demonstrated the ExpendableBot, a low-cost, expendable robot that was designed and built at NAWCWD to help in the collection and disposal of unexploded submunitions. Alan Derkey showed off the low-profile unmanned reconnaissance craft (LURC) and told how he is working toward making it an unmanned surface vehicle to be used in the water.

Matthew Kirchner, a mechanical engineer, told the students that within six months of reporting to the Weapons Division he was already working on "the fun stuff". He showed the students the fun stuff he's currently working on – a hovering surveillance vehicle control and simulation system.

"I'm having the time of my life here," Kirchner said. "I actually enjoy going to work."

More than 1,000 BHS students cycled through the NAWCWD displays during the showcase.

"Everything was pretty cool but the Sidewinder was my favorite," said ninth-grader Nolan Wade, who may consider an engineering career "because they get to break stuff and then rebuild it."

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