The STEM program engages school students and distinguished Naval Academy professors in a wide variety of science and engineering activities such as camps, competitions, short courses and internships, to initiate interest and enthusiasm for future STEM participation in academic and career choices.

‘‘STEM’s main focus is to inspire students to become scientists or engineers as a life-long career,” said Davede Alexander, Naval Academy admissions director of strategic outreach. ‘‘However, with the academy being a perfect background as far as our engineering programs and our world-class facilities, it makes for a perfect condition were a student comes in to learn about engineering or science, but leaves with a love for the Naval Academy.”

‘‘Many want to know what is like to be an officer, and how people assume leadership positions and roles within this military organization.”

Alexander and his admissions team toured several schools nationwide, both public private, in an attempt to recruit students for the STEM program.

“Our main goal is to inspire students early to draw them into a thought process of getting into college,“ said Alexander.

For the third year in a row, the STEM program offered an exclusive learning environment outside the traditional classroom. Students had the opportunity to work with specific projects in forensics, mechanics, robotics, fabrication, biometrics, computer stimulation and others.

‘‘Students love the program,” said Alexander. ‘‘We help them develop skills that they are actually going to carry with them forever; regardless of their career paths.”

According to Alexander, STEM participation rates increased significantly from 2008 to 2010. Students from Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam took part in the event this year.

‘‘We went from having 100 students in 2008 to 375 this year. It is definitely a remarkable growth period,” said Alexander.