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ERDC Staff Bring Engineering Skills to Students

Published July 3, 2013
Attendees for the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Army Engineering and Construction Camp visit the Information Technology Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., June 19.  The students gained some hands-on experience in Computer Aided Design (CAD) at ERDC, among other activities.

Attendees for the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Army Engineering and Construction Camp visit the Information Technology Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., June 19. The students gained some hands-on experience in Computer Aided Design (CAD) at ERDC, among other activities.

Students conduct soil experiments during the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Army Engineering and Construction Camp held in Vicksburg June 16-22.  The experiments were conducted at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in support of the camp, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District.

Students conduct soil experiments during the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Army Engineering and Construction Camp held in Vicksburg June 16-22. The experiments were conducted at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in support of the camp, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District.

Researchers with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., assisted with the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Army Engineering and Construction Camp in Vicksburg, June 16-22.

Sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District, the event hosted 38 area students meeting the following criteria, among others: attendees must have  completed their sophomore or junior year in high school, be on an academic track that will provide a basis for attendance at an accredited college or university and have expressed the intention to pursue a degree in engineering or an associated field.  All lodging and meals for the camp were provided by SAME.

ERDC hosted an extensive variety of activities for the camp.  Chad Gartrell, chief of the Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences Branch for ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), served as the curriculum leader for the camp.

“The U.S. Army Engineering and Construction Camp … is a great opportunity for young people with an interest in math, science or engineering to get some hands-on experience in various forms that touch all these interests,” Gartrell said.  “The activities range from leadership development, environmental engineering, construction materials, super computers, computer-aided design, automotive engineering, electrical generation and distribution, hydraulics and hydrology, river engineering, soil engineering and others.”

“They don't spend a lot of time in any one area, but they get exposed to each and have a chance to gain better understanding in these areas, with the hope that this exposure and understanding will spark them to pursue further interests and careers in these fields. 

The SAME camp strives to introduce bright minds to a future in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“We all know that STEM careers hold some of the large keys to the future of our country and the world,” Gartrell said.  “As I have been told before, you never know how your small interaction with someone can change the course of their life forever.  We are hoping our interaction with these kids will affect a positive change in their futures.”

Dr. Chuck Weiss of GSL led off ERDC’s participation June 17 with a series of exercises regarding concrete.  Weiss was supported by a dozen ERDC staffers, dividing the students into four teams (green, red, white and blue) for the exercise.  “It is exciting to see how the students grow during the week as they come together as a team to solve problems,” said Weiss.  His team focus comments were supported by Dr. Robert Moser, Weiss’ colleague and coordinator for the blue team.  "I thought it was a great opportunity for the students to learn about concrete and its importance as an infrastructure material while working as a team," said Moser.

Dr. Jerry Morris, Chris Lewis, Dave Johnson and Rachelle Hintson of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) picked up the campers June 17.  The students were provided briefings and hands-on experience in several areas of research with the lab, including the Computer Aided Design and Building Information Modeling (CAD/BIM) Technology Center, the Data Analysis and Assessment Center, and the Joint Computing Facility (JCF), which offers 10,000 square feet of computer space to tackle the most difficult challenges in computing. 

The CAD/BIM center provides opportunities for architects, engineers and building owners to explore new technologies when planning or managing facilities, infrastructure and environment within the Department of Defense.

The JCF is part of a system of resources to support the DOD’s High Performance Computing Modernization Program.  The facility is home to the ERDC Computer Center and DOD’s Supercomputing Resource Center and Mass Storage Facility.

The students’ projects with ERDC continued with a soil class and exercise in GSL June 21, followed by an environmental exercise in the Environmental Laboratory.  Lyan Garcia led the soil class with assistance from Brent Towne, while Susan Bailey hosted the environmental exercise.  ERDC’s involvement in the camp concluded with a visit to the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), where Jeremy Sharp and Tate McAlpin provided information on the research conducted by CHL, followed by a visit to the Ship Tow Simulator for an introduction to navigation and steering.

The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for USACE, with more than 2,500 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program exceeding $2 billion. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.


Release no. 13-002