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US Navy, Seaport Museum Working Together on Science Training For Philadelphia Youth

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Top brass in the US Navy, wanting to propel inner-city youth in Philadelphia into high-tech positions, have signed a new partnership with the Independence Seaport Museum to provide opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (commonly known collectively as "STEM") to underserved students.

The agreement was signed today aboard the historic USS Olympia, on Penn's Landing.  Launched in 1892, the Olympia  is the oldest steel warship afloat in the world.  It is now owned by the Seaport Museum.

"There's a clear need for an educational pipeline to bring young people from Philadelphia high schools into STEM-related college majors and career fields," notes rear-admiral David Pimpo, commander of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS).

In part, Pimpo says, this new alliance with the museum is a response to the high demand for STEM graduates and the low number of students getting STEM-related degrees.  He noted the US ranks 25th in math skills and 17th in science skills among industrialized nations.

STEM recruiters from the US Navy and elsewhere have been drawing candidates from some of Philadelphia's magnet and charter schools.

"It takes all of the things I like and puts them together in one program," notes 14-year-old Suleiny Cordero, a ninth grader at Bodine High School.   "Then, it has all of these benefits at the end for doing something that you like."

Students will have access to a variety of scholarship opportunities and be given a chance to serve their country in uniform with the Naval ROTC or the US Naval Academy.  It's hoped that participants will pursue STEM-related college majors and career fields, including NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support that keep US Naval forces mission-ready.

 

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