News Release

WHO:      23 Science teachers from 10 different states and Puerto Rico to participate in the Coast Guard Academy 
                 STEM program

WHAT:    Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century Program

WHEN:    Monday-Friday, July 12-16, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE:  Coast Guard Academy
                  Smith Hall                 

BACKGROUND: Science teachers come to the Coast Guard Academy for a unique event taking place. The Academy will be bringing 23 Science teachers from across the country to our New London, Conn., campus July 11 - 17 to participate in the Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century Program, which includes the Academy Robotics on the Water project.

AROW is an immersive Science, Technology, Engineering and Math oriented game designed to expose middle and high-school students, and their teachers, to the Coast Guard Academy. The competition brings teams of people together to design and build radio-controlled floating robots that compete in a water filled arena. During competition, teams have four minutes to earn as many points possible as they pilot their robotic craft through a variety of Coast Guard mission oriented tasks. To be successful, groups must be strategic, think critically and demonstrate superb teamwork.

Another key component of AROW is cadet interaction. A cadet mentor is assigned to each team to provide technical assistance in the building of the robots. They also manage the group dynamics to ensure teams function effectively. Cadets have reported that this mentor role was one of the most challenging and rewarding leadership experiences they encountered while at the Academy.

The Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century Program was developed to interest inner-city and underrepresented high school students in pursuing education and careers in STEM. The program will demonstrate the educational value of STEM activities for students, teachers, and mentors, through Project-Based Learning combined with professional and life skills necessary for them to compete in college and in their careers. This population has been traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields of study.  Professional and life skills include teamwork, understanding human behavior using the DISC Behavioral Model, personal accountability and technical writing.

The Summer Teachers Workshop is a partnership between the Connecticut College of Technology and its Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, and The U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  The aim of the workshop is to instruct high school teachers and community college instructors on how to integrate the methodologies and activities developed by the Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century Team in their classrooms.

MEDIA NOTE: Media interested in attending the event should contact the CGA Public Affairs Office at (860) 444-8270.  AROW is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14.