On January 10, 2012, NRL hosted a visit of 40 students from Hart Middle School, located in Washington, D.C. The students attended a program sponsored by NRL's Diversity Committee in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. This program featured Ayanna Gregory, daughter of comedian and human rights activist, Dick Gregory. In the auditorium packed with NRL employees and the middle school students, she performed her one-woman program, Daughter of the Struggle, recreating her inspiring journey as the daughter of a freedom fighter.
Following the program, the students attended a lunch, hosted by the NRL Toastmasters, and took part in a Toastmaster's sample Youth Leadership Program, with student volunteers gaining experience in impromptu speaking before the audience of NRL Toastmasters. NRLer Lawrence Walker, who attended Hart Middle School, spoke about the importance of being diligent students and making wise choices. When the Toastmasters meeting was complete, students took part in some hands-on science demos that were set up in the Friedman Room. The students, who are currently working on their own science fair projects, got to ask questions and bounce their ideas off the scientists who participated. NRL's Vijay Kowtha, who is a mentor at Hart Middle School, arranged the visit. NRL scientists from the
Chemistry Division,
Tactical Electronic Warfare Division,
Spacecraft Engineering Department, and
Space Systems Development Department supported the hands-on demos.