DoDEA , Army Corps of Engineers Form STEM Partnership

Published May 16, 2013

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are partnering to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in DoDEA classrooms around the world.

The initiative becomes official at a Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony to be held on May 20, at 1 p.m., at Ashurst Elementary School located on Marine Corps Base Quantico.

The partnership is the first STEM initiative between the U.S. Army and DoDEA. It leverages the missions, talents and resources of both DoDEA and USACE to advance STEM in elementary and secondary school curriculum. The program will include the development of a specific civil works project or other USACE function that directly relates to DoDEA’s K-12 STEM content and curriculum. The USACE interns and DoDEA students will collaborate on projects and their efforts will culminate in a competition and awards ceremony held two times each school year.

Marilee Fitzgerald, DoDEA Director, expressed the enthusiasm and commitment of DoDEA’s teachers and staff for the program.

“DoDEA is truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to focus on preparing the next generation to develop the skills, capacity, flexibility and perseverance they will need to ensure our nation continues to be a world leader in the STEM fields,” said Ms. Fitzgerald. “This collaborative effort will form a team that will make an impact on the lives of our students, excite them about STEM’s potential and inspire them to pursue a STEM-related career,” she added.

Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, echoed Ms. Fitzgerald’s sentiments and emphasized USACE’s vision for the program; the importance of the STEM partnership with DoDEA, and the opportunities it will provide for DoDEA students around the world.

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is excited about the partnership with DoDEA and our ability to leverage our scientists and engineers to provide STEM-related expertise to military children around the world. We are committed to teaming with others to strengthen STEM programs that inspire young people to pursue careers in these fields,” said Lt. Gen. Bostick.

The partnership’s focus aligns with the White House and Department of Education’s focus on educating global leaders and preparing students for STEM careers in the 21st Century global economy. According to research performed by the Department of Education, careers in all STEM-related fields will increase 14% between now and 2020. As the Department of Education Chart below indicates, even more job growth is expected in STEM-related fields such as mathematics, computer science, and biomedical fields.

STEM chart

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense dependents that would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 37,000 dedicated civilians and soldiers delivering vital public and military engineering services to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide. In peace and war, the organization partners with other agencies to strengthen our nation's security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.

Note to Media: The DoDEA Director, Ms. Marilee Fitzgerald, and the Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, will be available following the ceremony for interviews Student STEM displays will also be featured at the event.

Media wishing to attend the Partnership Agreement Signing Event should contact Elaine Kanellis, DoDEA Communications, at 571-372-0614 ( ) by 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 17.

Directions to Ashurst Elementary School:From I-95 north, take exit #148. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left at the end of the exit ramp, and go under the interstate. Go approximately one-half mile to the main gate at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

Continue through the gate and proceed on Russell Road. The Commissary/Marine Corps Exchange will be on the left. Also on the left will be a McDonald’s and MCX Gas Station. At the traffic light at the gas station, turn left onto Purvis Road. Continue approximately three-fourths of a mile and take the second right onto Dulaney Street. Proceed 3 miles through the housing area to the school, which is located at 4398 Dulaney Street, Quantico, VA 22134.

To ensure access to Marine Corps Base Quantico, media attending the event should provide vehicle make, model, license plate number, and state of registration to Elaine Kanellis by Monday, May 20 at 9 a.m. Drivers should ensure they have a valid state driver’s license and proof of insurance.


Contact
Tesia Williams
202-761-0289
tesia.d.williams@usace.army.mil
or
Elaine Kanellis
571-372-0614
elaine.kanellis@hq.dodea.edu

Release no. 13-007