To improve the knowledge base and skill level of the future Cyber/Information Technology (IT) Workforce, the Department of the Navy (DON) has numerous educational and outreach activities with academic institutions, other civilian agencies and industrial partners. These outreach programs are important not only to our cyber warfighting commands, but also to DON large acquisition commands, which employ hundreds of scientists and engineers who must be attuned to design, development and fielding of secure IT systems and applications.
In the DON's recent report to Congress, in response to the National Defense Authorization Act 2010, many "best practices" were highlighted. Of note, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) reported a diverse school outreach program which includes programs with elementary, middle and high schools in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and the Maryland area. The programs include the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program (120 students), Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) (33 students), For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Team (90 students), FIRST LEGO (30 students) and SeaPerch (600 students). In addition, the organization sponsors Take Your Child to Work Day each year with more than 400 children of NAVSEA employees touring and participating in various science and technology workshops.
In the cyber/IT arena NAVSEA currently has partnerships with the following Organizations/Institutions/Associations:
• SeaPerch;
• For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST);
- FIRST LEGO League;
- FIRST Robotics;
• George Washington Carver City-Wide Science Fair (Philadelphia);
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU);
• Hispanics in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
• Advancing Minorities' Interests in Engineering (AMIE);
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES);
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE);
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE);
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE); and
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Government Partnerships:
• National Defense Education Program (NDEP);
- Scientist and Engineers in the Classroom;
- Engineering curriculum development in school districts;
• ONR Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP); and
• DoD Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP).
These programs help U.S. educational institutions focus on providing the best cyber curriculums and encourage students to pursue scientific and cyber courses of study. NAVSEA is to be commended for actively engaging in outreach programs so vital to accomplishing the DON's cyber mission.