Released by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake Public Affairs Office --
By Barry McDonald, Technical Communication Office

“We’re excited about this agreement,” said Rear Adm. Mark Skinner, commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Thursday, March 1, at the signing ceremony of an Education Partnership Agreement with the Sierra Sands Unified School District in Ridgecrest, Calif. The ceremony took place in the admiral’s conference room aboard the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif.

“This is right in line with the push to improve science and engineering education by our new Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, Dr. Delores M. Etter,” the admiral said. “A unique thing about our scientists and engineers is that they love mentoring young people, so this will increase their opportunities to do that.”

School Superintendent Joanna Rummer and Chief Financial Officer Elaine Janson joined Skinner in signing the agreement.

“Math and science has always been a major part of the district’s curriculum,” said Rummer, “but this agreement will give our students the opportunity to see those disciplines in action. There’s been a push in the state and the nation to form these types of partnerships, because it’s generally understood that we learn best by doing. This formal agreement broadens what we can do to increase those experiences.”

These comments led to an impromptu meeting before the actual signing in which top managers from the command and district representatives brainstormed a number of possibilities for implementing the agreement. “Well, we need to get something started soon to put this thing in action,” said Scott O’Neil, the Weapons Division’s executive director. “Let’s arrange a tour for the teachers so we can show them what we do here, and they can start planning how we can work together in specific areas.” The group settled on a tentative date in May for the tour.

O’Neil also noted that ultimately this agreement, by exposing students to the work of the base, would help the Weapons Division recruit new scientists, engineers, technicians, and trades and administrative personnel. When Burroughs High School principal Ernie Bell mentioned that Navy pilots had already spoken at a number of schools, O’Neil responded, “And they like to do that, too, because it helps them with recruiting.”

The purpose of the agreement is to formalize a relationship in which students and faculty will benefit from access to Weapons Division hardware, personnel and facilities specifically related to naval warfare systems and technologies. It offers students the opportunity to become aware of and collaborate in many disciplines associated with weapons systems, from concept formulation through test and evaluation, which are not available in a school environment.

Under the agreement, the Weapons Division may:
• transfer surplus equipment to the school district to assist with science and engineering education;
• loan non-surplus equipment to the district for limited periods;
• provide personnel to help develop and teach courses and programs for which students may earn academic credit, and to advise students on academics and career choices;
• gain enhanced perspective on projects by exposure to the academic community;
• increase scientific growth, exploration and experience by participating in the academic process;
• benefit from collaborating with students and staff in various technology areas and scientific disciplines.

The school district may:
• provide personnel, lab equipment and facilities for educational purposes;
• have access to Weapons Division’s state-of-the-art facilities and technology, and the opportunity for students and faculty to participate in research experiences;
• give Weapons Division the opportunity to offer advice and input regarding the development of the district’s curriculum.

The agreement also incorporates potential student opportunities for cooperative education and summer employment at Weapons Division through existing Navy programs, and it includes potential summer work and sabbatical positions for district staff and faculty through existing programs.

“The district has always enjoyed a good informal relationship with the Weapons Division,” said Elaine Janson, “with students getting the opportunity to work in the machine shop, being mentored by scientists and engineers, and with some S&Es coming to the schools and presenting classes. This agreement formalizes these activities and adds more opportunities.

“Our children are very lucky to live next door to a base with world-class minds, world-class facilities and world-class products. And they’re lucky to have teachers like ours that foster experience beyond the classroom and encourage students’ special abilities.”

Janson, who worked in the Weapons Division Business Development Office before taking her current position with the school district, initiated the division’s first Education Partnership Agreement with the New Mexico School of Mines. She credits the BDO’s Mike Biddlingmeier and Cheryl Hays, who were also at the ceremony, and the Office of Counsel for many hours of effort to iron out the details of the agreement.

Others attending the ceremony included Judy Dietrichson, school board president; Tom Pearl, board member and technical director of Air Test and Evaluation Three One; Shirley Kennedy, assistant superintendent; principals Kirsti Smith, Murray Middle School, Pam Barnes, Pierce Elementary, and Ingrid Larsen, Mesquite High; BHS Math Department co-chairs Judy Dwyer and Bruce Livingston; Weapons Division’s Capt. Mark Storch, vice commander; Brad Harlow, deputy of the Research and Engineering Group; and Doris Lance, Public Affairs Office.

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PHOTO CUTLINE: Rear Adm. Mark Skinner, NAWCWD commander, and Joann Rummer, SSUSD superintendent, signed the Education Partnership Agreement, Thursday, March 1. They are flanked by Burroughs High School’s Elise Smith, student member of the school board, and Daniel Branson, a Burroughs student recently employed on base through the Workability Program.