General Dynamics Seeks High School Students for STEM Competition
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — General Dynamics Mission Systems is holding its annual High School STEM Competition on April 29.
The company is seeking to create enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and math education by providing science challenges that feature a mix of systems, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering techniques.
"STEM education is important to help develop the workforce of the future. We have seen that exposure to STEM activities early in life creates lifelong learners that often decide on STEM careers. We are looking to develop our future workforce," said Thomas Lussier, director of engineering.
Mark Marzotto was introduced to engineering and coding through the STEM competition in 2014, his senior year of high school. He now works as a senior systems engineer for the Model Based Systems Engineering Lead for Surface Ships for General Dynamics.
"The competition was creating a robotic 'car' that could autonomously complete challenges, like navigating a maze," Marzotto said. "The satisfaction I received from completing the project and designing/building something that actually worked led me to embark on a mechanical engineering degree at Union College and eventually a systems engineering masters from Johns Hopkins University"
Mike Coelho also participated in the competition while in high school and now works for General Dynamics as a senior systems engineer working in the Functional Modeling Lead on Strategic Systems.
"GD helped me grow from both a technical and leadership perspective. It is the community events such as the high school STEM competition that helped encourage me and others to begin a journey toward a career in engineering and it is great GD can do this for Pittsfield and the surrounding area," Coelho said.
The competition creates a chance for students to experience a STEM challenge that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in.
"Many students do not have the opportunity to participate in interesting and fun science activities," Lussier said. "We believe that this competition allows high schools across the county to experience an exciting STEM challenge and have the opportunity to work in teams or as individuals."
General Dynamics wants students to know that there are career opportunities after college in the Berkshires and that it is currently working on contracts that last until 2080.
"In the end, we want students to know that they can get a STEM degree in college and work as an engineer at General Dynamics right here in Pittsfield. We are currently working on contracts that last until 2080, so there is long-term career opportunities right here in the Berkshires," Lussier said.
General Dynamics has already received signups from students at Berlin (N.Y.) High School, Miss Hall's School, and the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center in Bennington. It has purchased enough supplies for 10 teams and hope to get more students to participate in this year's competition.
Students in Grades 9-12 could sign up as an individual or as a team of up to four team members and get a chance to earn prizes. First-place winners of the competition will receive a $40 prize; second place $20, and third $10 prize.
This year students will design, build and demonstrate a "Moveable Bridge" using real-world engineering disciplines. If interested, contact Hannah Manolis, General Dynamics Mission Systems, (860) 817-8858 or Hannah.Manolis@gd-ms.com for more information.
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