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Office of Naval Research Confirms Lineup of Speakers for STEM Conference

For Immediate Release: Jun 08, 2011
By Corporate Strategic Communications, Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va.—More than 20 panelists and nine keynote speakers have been confirmed for the Naval Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Forum, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), to be held June 15-16 in Alexandria, Va.

“Inspiring today’s youth to pursue STEM careers is a major focus of the Naval STEM Forum,” Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr said. “We want to improve current initiatives and explore new ways to interest students at all levels. The Navy has pulled together some highly distinguished leaders in government, business and education to help inform our future STEM engagement.”

The Naval STEM Forum will include presentations from Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead; Carr; Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) Dr. Clifford Stanley; White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Dr. Carl Wieman; President of the American Chemical Society Dr. Nancy Jackson; President of the National Academy of Engineering Dr. Charles Vest; founder of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology and DEKA Research and Development Corporation Dean Kamen; and author, TV personality and executive director of the Planetary Society Bill Nye, who will deliver the closing keynote address on June 16.

The two-day conference at the Alexandria Hilton Mark Center will also include panels and breakout sessions featuring leaders in business, academia and government. The list includes Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Rear Adm. Patrick Brady; Director of the Office of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education Karen Cator; White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Thomas Kalil; President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III; Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas, Dr. Mary Ann Rankin; Executive Director National Society of Black Engineers Carl Mack; President American Council on Education Molly Corbett; Vice president of BAE Systems Doug Coffey; and President and Chief Executive of the Council of Competitiveness Deborah Wince-Smith. (See a complete list of Naval STEM Forum speakers.)

Select Navy, academic and nonprofit organizations will also showcase technologies used to increase interest in STEM among students, parents and teachers. Some of those systems on display will include: Mission Ocean, a web-based submarine simulation program from Purdue University; SeaPerch, an underwater remote controlled robot from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers; and cognitive tutors, a software tool designed to augment traditional education, which was developed by ONR and the Naval Research Laboratory.

The forum supports the DoN’s ongoing commitment to STEM education and outreach. The goal of Naval STEM is to increase the talent pool from which the next generation of great Sailors, Marines, naval engineers and scientists will come.

In fiscal 2010, the DoN’s STEM portfolio was valued at more than $74 million in 180 STEM-related educational programs. That same year, the secretary of the Navy made an aggressive pledge to double the investment over the next five years.

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About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.