A key co-sponsor of the USA Science and Engineering Festival, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will be among more than 1,500 exhibitors offering interactive activities at the free inaugural event to be held Oct. 23-24 on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall as well as nearby satellite locations.
ONR's participation in the first national science festival supports the Department of the Navy's goal to create a diverse future workforce to meet the Navy's needs in science and technology. Increasing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, pipeline has become a critical priority for ONR in its role as the U.S. Navy´s science and technology provider.
"Visitors to ONR's exhibit will learn about SeaPerch, an underwater robotics project developed to introduce pre-college students to the marvels of engineering, science and ship/submarine design," said Dr. Kam Ng, ONR's deputy director of research.
More than 1 million people are expected to attend the national science festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, organizers said. ONR's exhibits will be at booths 300, 302, 304, 306 and 308, at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Jefferson Drive in the district. In addition to the SeaPerch demonstration, ONR's exhibits will also feature:
Acceleglove Robotic Glove--Users can test their skills in controlling a robot using hand gestures and movements (Booths 304 and 306).
Physics of Sailing--Visitors can build their own ships from aluminum foil, Popsicle sticks and paper sails (Booth 306).
STEM2Stern Web site--Attendees can learn more about ONR's efforts to engage and inspire young people by exposing them to hands-on, mentor-based programs that build STEM abilities, while fostering self-confidence and life skills. (Booth 304).
A research arm within the Department of Defense, ONR provides technical advice to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations on matters ranging from marine meteorology and ocean acoustics to underwater signal processing and marine mammals and biology.
About the Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.