By BU1 Brian Whitsitt, NCTC Port Hueneme
SW1 Danny Toguchi, NCTC Port Hueneme, Calif., coaches a student while conducting gas metal arc welding during NBVC STEM Camp in June.
The Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Port Hueneme, Calif., hosted 33 local high school students for Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp, June 16-19. During the camp, students were split into two groups and received demonstrations and hands-on experience that showcased the general engineering capabilities of all seven Seabee ratings.
Utilitiesman and construction electrician instructors introduced students to the fundamentals of plumbing and electrical theory. Utilitiesman 1
st Class Juan Gonzalez demonstrated the proper method of soldering copper piping for cold and hot water plumbing applications. Participants then had the opportunity to solder pipe and pressure test their own work.
Construction Electrician 1
st Class Nathan Gordon provided instruction on electrical theory followed by hands-on experience operating and testing power generators. In the builder laboratory, instructors taught participants about stair construction which included a math lesson followed by a practical application using their calculations. The students showed great enthusiasm about working with power tools and were excited to complete their own set of stairs.
Students especially enjoyed a lesson with the steelworkers on gas metal arc welding. At the conclusion of the steelworker practical laboratory, participants had created steel plates welded with their names.
BU1 Brian Whitsitt, NCTC Port Hueneme, Calif., instructs students on the fundamentals of stair construction during NBVC STEM Camp in June.
NCTC Instructor Steelworker 1
st Class Danny Toguchi was impressed with the students skill sets. It amazed me how many of the students had welding experience already, Toguchi said, and the ones who didn t, picked it up so fast.
Engineering Aide 2
nd Class Devin Aherne presented the capabilities of the Seabees surveying equipment. The new Global Positioning System (GPS) demonstration highlighted the cutting-edge technology used in the Naval Construction Force.
Builder 1
st Class Brian Whitsitt said, It was a great learning experience working with the students, and it is always refreshing to see young adults take an interest in what the Seabees do. I learned just as much from them as they did from me.
The event was a total success, said Lt. Tom Stock. The students and STEM camp volunteers gave us great feedback. They definitely learned a lot and had fun while visiting us at Naval Construction Training Center Port Hueneme.
UT1 Juan Gonzalez, NCTC Port Hueneme, Calif., illustrates the proper method for soldering copper piping for cold and hot water plumbing applications during NBVC STEM Camp in June.
For more information on NCTC Port Hueneme, visit:
https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csfe/hueneme/