Team AFRL researchers bridge the science gap

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
Kirtland Air Force Base --  Nine Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers spent the last week of 2011 volunteering as teachers, tutors and motivators in an Albuquerque, N.M. program for middle school and high school students called "AfterMath Camp."

The science, technology, engineering and mathematics education outreach program concentrates on making the subject's fun. Its mission is to interest young students in research and the process of inquiry while promoting STEM education as academic and potential career choices.

It was an exciting week for the students and researchers. Camp director Dr. Hilary Noskin, also the AFRL Directed Energy Directorate honorary commander, said, "After-Math has reached out to more than 100 students in a year. The results of our intense four-day STEM camp were a 20 percent increase in basic math skills in two days and 30 percent by the end of the fourth day. We look forward to reaching more than 200 students this summer. AFRL's scientists and engineers inspire our students to strive for science and engineering degrees."

Similar programs are catching on across the country. Recent studies indicate the United States is falling behind other countries in math and science achievement by middle school and high school students. As the U.S. work force ages, the next generation of skilled labor must replace them to ensure economic prosperity and national security. Compared to their U.S. counterparts, undergraduate students in foreign countries chose natural science and engineering disciplines as their primary field of study at higher rates. AFRL researchers believe they contribute to national defense by participating in such educational outreach programs.

Dr. Michael Zmuda, who's also an Air Force Reserve major, is from AFRL's Laser Division and has high compliments for the camp.

"It is a true blessing and honor to share my excitement and passion for science and math with such enthusiastic learners. Observing the intense focus of the students as they were mesmerized by the experiments and technologies of AFRL and science gives me hope for our nation's future. It is amazing how one short week of ardent presentations and experiments can spark the interest of science and math in the hearts and minds of the greatest resources we have - our kids and young adults," he said.

In addition, AFRL's Dr. Imelda DeLaRue, Cynthia Kaiser, Capt. Katrina Schweiker, Beth Nayder, Lt. Ann Lanari, Lt. Ben Jewell, Michael Martin and Rory Ninneman were enthusiastic participants in the camp.

The Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the Air Force's only organization wholly dedicated to leading the discovery, development and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. Two of AFRL's nine technical directorates are at Kirtland AFB, N.M. -- the Directed Energy Directorate and the Space Vehicles Directorate.