5th Grade Students Learn EOD Soldiers' STEM Side by U.S. Army Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs
October 27, 2022
Class was in session on October 14, 2022 at
the Fort Drum STARBASE Academy, but it wasn’t a typical classroom
setting.
More than 40 fifth-grade students from Gouverneur Middle
School met with a team of EOD (explosive ordnance disposal)
specialists outside the schoolhouse, as young, inquisitive eyes
darted around the robots and massive transport vehicle the Soldiers
arrived in.
October 14, 2022 - More than 40 fifth grade students from Gouverneur Middle School met with a team of EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) specialists outside the Fort Drum STARBASE Academy for a STEM career demonstration. The Soldiers with the 760th Ordnance Company, one of two EOD companies stationed at Fort Drum, explained how they are trained to detect, disarm and dispose of explosive munitions. (U.S. Army photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)
|
The Soldiers with the 760th Ordnance Company, one
of two EOD companies stationed at Fort Drum, explained how they are
trained to detect, disarm, and dispose of explosive munitions.
“This is a great opportunity for us to share who we are and what
we do with the students and let them see some of the tools we work,”
said 1st Lt. Jude McDowell. “Not a lot of people, I think, have too
much of an idea about what EOD does, so we’re here to answer any
questions they have.”
And the students – hands raised –
gladly peppered them with question after question until the Soldiers
invited them to educate themselves about EOD by trying out the
equipment.
Sgt. 1st Class Victor Campau told one group of
students they could all cram into their transport vehicle, dubbed
“the school bus,” but that it only seats four people.
That’s
because the bulk of the space is for their equipment, such as the
Talon 5 robot, which can grab ordnance with its manipulator arm and
360-degree rotating wrist. It can carry a payload of roughly 100
pounds and has a drag capacity of up to 170 pounds. Its smaller
sibling, the SUGV, is portable enough for Soldiers to carry on their
backs.
Students took turns operating both robot systems
remotely, while others tried on the protective suit and attempted to
walk around with the additional 70-plus pounds on them ... nearly 100
pounds if they also donned the helmet.
October 14, 2022 -
Fifth-grade students from Gouverneur Middle School students
explore firsthand the massive transport vehicle the EOD
(explosive ordnance disposal) soldiers arrived in and the
robots they use on missions outside the Fort Drum STARBASE
Academy for a STEM career demonstration. (U.S. Army photo by
Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)
|
“The idea is to see if
they can do some cognitive thinking under the weight of the suit,”
McDowell said. “They call it ‘bomb suit dumb’ because after a
certain amount time under the weight, heat and stress, your
cognitive ability takes a bit of a dip.”
Joanne Witt, Fort
Drum STARBASE Academy director, took a turn putting on the full
suit. She said it was laborious moving inside it and a little
disorientating. But at the same time, it gave her, and the students,
an understanding of how difficult the Soldiers’ job must be, and how
much training it takes for them to be proficient at it.
“I
grew up in this area and I’m still not familiar with many of the
careers in the military,” she said. “I had no idea the technology
and the science that is involved in some of these jobs, and what
they are capable of doing with it. I’m incredibly impressed.”
Maj. Jeff Lydic, with 10th Mountain Division (LI) G9, oversees
the Mountain Mentor program and assists with bringing different Army
professionals to meet the STARBASE Academy students and relate how
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) impacts their jobs.
“We are participating in these classes on a weekly basis to
showcase Army career fields and the science and technology they use
to accomplish their mission,” he said. “This is an incredible
opportunity for our talented Soldiers to interact with local
students and showcase how the same material they are learning in
class impacts every single one of our Soldiers – from an infantryman
on the ground to our aviators in the sky.”
Witt said that
students were treated last week to an impromptu field trip when
Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team were setting up a command post
for the Mountain Peak exercise and invited them over.
Soldiers from 41st Engineer Battalion and 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry
Regiment, provided the children with a close-up look of the M-ATV, a
multipurpose tactical vehicle capable of command and control, troop
transport and weapon systems carrier functions, and the Satellite
Transportable Terminal (STT) mobile communications system.
“The generosity of these different groups and their willingness to
share their experiences has been wonderful,” Witt said. “The best
thing about this is the students’ reactions. Look at their smiles
and look at how they are talking with the Soldiers, asking
questions. They love this.”
Our Valiant Troops |
I Am The One |
Veterans |
Citizens Like Us
U.S. Army Gifts |
U.S. Army
| Army
National Guard |
U.S. Department
of Defense
|
|