$10K contribution from AT&T enables hands-on robotics and cybersecurity camps for Mt Vernon HS Students. Presentation and recognition of award to take place on July 27th at West Potomac High School in Alexandria.
{Click here to view press release on NOVA website}
In an effort to bolster STEM capacity in Northern Virginia, AT&T, Northern Virginia Community College, Fairfax County Public Schools and Fort Belvoir are partnering to provide hands-on summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) camp opportunities specifically for Mt. Vernon High School students.
A $10,000 contribution from AT&T will allow NOVA’s STEM outreach program, SySTEMic Solutions, to offer robotics and cybersecurity camps for rising 9th through 12th graders from Mt. Vernon High School. For logistical reasons, the camps will be held at West Potomac High School in Alexandria from July 18-29.
There will be a special ceremony celebrating AT&T’s gift at West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria, on July 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Representatives from AT&T, a ranking officer from Fort Belvoir, NOVA, NOVA SySTEMic Solutions and FCPS will attend.
This event highlights a strong collaboration and mutual support for STEM across the region. Representatives from AT&T and Fort Belvoir will be on hand to engage the campers in a discussion of the cybersecurity needs for the region and the nation and will describe how camp materials relate to those careers. The program will focus on the vital need for programming and cyber personnel in the workforce and for national defense.
NOVA has strong STEM ties in FCPS and throughout the region. The college’s SySTEMic Solutions has a designated representative that helps to increase STEM capacity through camps, competitions and professional development opportunities for teachers. The partnership focuses on STEM needs in Fairfax, with special attention to recruiting students from underrepresented groups for the STEM workforce. In addition, NOVA has worked hard to align advance standings for those who serve our country through its veterans’ education benefits.
“Inspiring young people to engage in STEM activities is a fundamental mission of NOVA SySTEMic Solutions,” said NOVA President, Dr. Scott Ralls. “This partnership with members of the public and private sector provides not only a fun and educational way for teens to spend their summer break, but it also highlights the great need to build the next generation of STEM employees in Northern Virginia and across the nation.”
LaTara Harris, AT&T’s regional director for External Affairs in Greater Washington area, added, “At AT&T, we believe investing in a well-educated workforce may be the single most important thing we can do to support a strong global economy. Our company and our nation need a capable and diverse pipeline of employees to fill 21st century jobs. Cybersecurity, robotics, and other STEM-intensive jobs are available to the students who have the kind of skills they’re gaining at the camps offered by Northern Virginia Community College.”
The robotics camp, held from July 18-22, will focus on building and programming for the VEX system. Students will build and program a robot to operate on a field by remote control and through an autonomous program. Students will learn basic computer programming in RobotC by programming a robot to complete challenges throughout the week.
The Cybersecurity camp, held from July 25-29, will provide students with knowledge and hands-on experience in cyber security and introduce them to the many career opportunities in the growing field. The camp will increase students’ knowledge of networking and computer security including cyber ethics and defense strategies, all through tutorials, hands-on activities and will culminate with a mock competition on the last day.
NOVA SySTEMic Solutions Program Manager: Josh Labrie | 703.530.2829 | jlabrie@nvcc.edu.
NOVA Media Contact: Kathy Thompson | 703.764.0896 | kthompson@nvcc.edu