The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has affirmed its support
of three Aberdeen, Maryland, public schools through the Department
of Defense "Partners in Education Program" at a ceremony
held at Aberdeen High School on January 24.
CDR John G. Wallace, Jr., USN,
Officer in Charge, NRL Detachment, U.S. Army Chemical Biological
Defense Command, signed partnership agreements with the principals
of Aberdeen High School, Aberdeen Middle School and Bakersfield
Elementary School through NRL Community Outreach Program.
CDR Wallace said, "We are
here today to 'officially' affirm our support to our young students
in helping them achieve their potential. Although we are a small
detachment, with a history of supporting local schools, the partnership
with NRL will enable our volunteers to provide a broader range
of educational opportunities."
Through the agreements, detachment
volunteers will provide tutorial support, tours of NRL headquarters
in Washington DC, surplus computers, electronic and scientific
equipment, office furniture and other related items when available,
student employment opportunities, enrichment programs, and educational
opportunities available only to partnership schools in collaboration
with other DoD and federal government agencies as they become
available.
According to Mr. William Gunn,
Principal of Hillsdale Elementary School, "This is a great
opportunity to expose our students to careers in the engineering
and scientific fields and an understanding of the educational
requirements needed to pursue employment in these
fields."
"For our students who excel
both in the math and sciences, this program can encourage them
to continue their education in high technology fields they may
not known existed prior to the partnership." said Mr. David
Volrath, Assistant Principal of Aberdeen High School.
NRL, a part of the Naval District
Washington (NDW), also has sites in Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Presently, NRL has partnership agreements with four District
of Columbia Public Schools and supports other schools in the
region on a case-by-case basis, dependent on volunteer
resources.
Versions of DoD's "Partners
in Education" have been implemented in many federal agencies.
The idea was initiated through a 1985 Presidential Directive
encouraging Americans to provide resources on a voluntary basis
to community educational programs.
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is the Navy's full-spectrum corporate laboratory, conducting a broadly based multidisciplinary program of scientific research and advanced technological development. The Laboratory, with a total complement of nearly 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL has served the Navy and the nation for over 85 years and continues to meet the complex technological challenges of today's world. For more information, visit the NRL homepage or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
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