Outreach

NPS students and faculty are active participants in our community, contributing their science, technology, engineering and math expertise for K-12 and college-oriented activities.

Faculty Outreach and Community Involvement

• Astronaut Outreach

  Resident astronauts, CAPT Dan Bursch (USN Retired), Dr. Jim Newman (Professor), and CAPT Steve Frick (USN Retired) are often the featured spokespersons for local NPS Outreach efforts. In addition to their teaching, research, and mentoring work with NPS students, all speak locally and regionally at K-12 schools during the school year, addressing single classes to entire student bodies.

• Discovery Day

  Discovery Day 2022 was held on May 13, 2022, stay tuned for our next Discovery Day scheduled for Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.  Opening up the NPS campus for 2000 plus middle and high schoolers, naval STEM research and activities are the feature of the day.  Students and teachers visit labs, engage in hands-on activities, and get to hear from special speakers.    

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

  A multidisciplinary group of NPS faculty and staff members act as coaches for local high school teams involved in the annual Robotics Competition. Students and coaches spent six weeks fabricating unique robotic devices designed to meet each year's challenge. Regional competitions are followed by national competitions.

• Junior Researcher

  A collaborative research project with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, students participate in a "Research Challenge" where they contribute essential data and insights, while addressing meaningful and relevant STEM challenges. 

• Monterey County Science Fair

  Approximately 50 NPS faculty and uniformed officers act as judges for this annual, local middle and high school competition.

NPS Student Associations

• National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) - Breakfast for your Brain

  In addition to other outreach activities, this military organization comprised of "all kinds of people" provides free one on one tutoring and mentoring.and mentors.
   

Previous Activities

• Cyber Adventurers

  Cyber Adventurers fills the continuity gap created by today’s proliferation of STEM programs. Kids select their own learning pathways, taking advantage of independent activities and experts in their local communities. They explore and learn about the science of computation in a structured ecosystem of activities, clubs, competitions, peers, role models and mentors.

• Robots in the Roses

  The Robots in the Roses Research Fair, hosted on the NPS campus by the Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER), offers the CRUSER community of interest an opportunity to share research and educational opportunities in the areas of unmanned and robotic systems. This annual event serves to expand the CRUSER community of interest, provide NPS students and faculty the opportunity to explore emergent technology, and inspire younger students to approach their formal education in science, technology, engineering and math with zeal.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges

  Sixty seven young scouts got the rare opportunity to have research and military professionals assist with instruction of merit badges.