PHILADELPHIA - Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, presented Philadelphia area high school students with completion awards April 3 for participation in Pennsylvania Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program's Naval Engines Design Program at a ceremony sponsored by the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS).
The 22 students in the program attended five Saturday classes Oct. 12-Nov. 19 at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES).
Mike Zekas, Propulsion and Power Systems Division head at NSWCCD-SSES, developed the curriculum for the students. "These are kids with a real interest in what we do," he said, while taking the students on a tour of the LM2500 gas turbine engine test site at NSWCCD-SSES Nov. 5. "They want to be here on a Saturday learning about engines, and we enjoy being here trying to encourage them to consider a future in engineering."
Topics covered during the five weeks of training on diesel, gas turbine and steam engines included fuel injection, combustion analysis, maintenance, shock testing, borescope inspections, alternate fuels, and lubricating oils.
Amiah Taylor, a graduate of the Naval Engines Design Program, at one time wanted to become an optometrist, but discovered she was squeamish when it came to the hands-on aspect of the medical field. She discovered working on engines is similar to working on the human body.
"We had Navy engineers instructing us on turbines and ship mechanics, the LM2500 engine, the new Green Fleet Initiative, and alternative fuels," Taylor said. "We actually got to see real engines, from real ships. I got to see a crankshaft that was longer than a car, which is impressive if you know that a typical car crankshaft is only 14 inches. Everything is huge - the wrenches, pistons, reduction gears, pipes."
More than 20 NSWCCD-SSES engineers and scientists volunteered their time to mentor the students over the five weeks. Rick Wilson, from the 2S Cog/Gas Turbine Life Cycle Support Branch, showed how engineers and sailors can inspect the inside of an engine using a borescope, one of many tools used by sailors aboard ship to keep the engines functioning. Kyle Beckett and Vicky Larimore, from NSWCCD-SSES' Naval Fluids Branch, taught students how to use the Kittiwake Oil Test Center - a kit used to determine a ship's oil viscosity and water and soot content.
This experience is a rare opportunity for students like Taylor who hopes to participate in one of the engineering internship programs available at NSWCCD-SSES that she recently learned about.
"I learned so much from this program, and I'm sure it's going to look great on my college applications," said Taylor.
The MESA program is a partnership between Temple University, the Office of Naval Research, NAVSEA, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Community Services, and the Urban Youth Racing School.
-NAVSEA-