JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Members from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics event for children from the Joseph Pye Elementary School Summer Camp July 12, 2018, at the emergency management building here.
The event gave 89 students the opportunity to learn how the various applications of STEAM are implemented within the different career fields in the military.
“A lot of these kids don’t really have a lot of experience or knowledge about what people do in the military, but this event helps them realize we have much more to our jobs than just combat,” said Tech. Sgt. Lyle Flagg, 628th CES Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight technician. “It was awesome to see and hear how excited they all were and how much more interest they showed in the jobs that the Air Force has to offer as well as in the military in general.”
The event featured four learning stations comprised of members from the 628th CES fire emergency services section, EOD flight, structural maintenance and the emergency management flight.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity for these kids to come out here and learn some of the unique and different things we do,” said Tech. Sgt. John Christopher, 628th CES structural NCO in charge. “All four stations provided different aspects of STEAM. Hopefully we can get the chance to do this in the future and involve more units across the base to help better show how STEAM effects every career field in the military and to open more avenues for those who are curious about joining.”
The students were able to ask a few of the attending members more STEAM-related questions as well as general questions about life in the military while eating lunch. Some students who attended are dependents of military parents who work on base.
“We’ve been on many trips and all of the students have come up to me and let me know this is hands down the best experience they’ve had so far," said Alana Jackson, Joseph Pye Elementary School site coordinator. "Some of them were telling me they want to join the military now. A little girl in our group didn’t know women were in the military and since she got to interact with a female Airman, she’s ready to join herself.”