AUXSCOUT Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics (STEM) Toolkit

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Coast Guard Tech Talks

The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary are working to bring a monthly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop to Sea Scouts. The workshop takes place on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2100 eastern / 2000 central / 1900 mountain / 1800 pacific / 1700 Alaska / 1500 Hawaii time and lasts about an hour. The topics are STEM-focused, and are tied to Sea Scout advancement requirements.

The host of Coast Guard Tech Talks is Lieutenant John DeCastra, USCG. LT DeCastra, or “JD” to his friends, is a Coast Guard Rotary Wing Aviator stationed at Air Station Atlantic City NJ. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University, where he also began his Coast Guard career in the Auxiliary University Program. He has been a Coast Guard Auxiliarist since 2010 and has served as a National Safe Boating Week coordinator.

These Coast Guard Tech Talks workshops gives you practical knowledge that will make you better sailors, as well as giving you a leg up on your college admissions applications. What’s more, JD promises that he’ll make them fun!

This month

• 6/23 - Celestial Navigation (Level 3 elective)
  • Register here
  • Websites:
    • U.S. Naval Observatory
    • NOAA Sun Data
  • Celestial Navigation workshop resources:
    • Celestial navigation powerpoint
    • Navigation strip
    • Polaris measurement project
  • Hands-on project:

1. Protractor (or PDF file and Cardboard)
2. String
3. Small Weight (a bolt or nut)
4. Straw
5. Tape

Future schedule

• 7/28 - Federal clean water protection (Ordinary 12; Able 12)
• 8/25 - Paddlecraft construction (Level 3 elective)
• 9/22 - Radar (Able 10f)
• 10/27 - Radio (Ordinary 5e)
• 1/26 - Maritime safety equipment (Ordinary 5b)
• 2/23 - GPS (Ordinary 10g)
• 3/23 - Tide & current (Able 10g)
• 4/27 - Engines (Level 3 elective)
• 5/25 - Rules of the road
• 6/22 - Electricity (Level 3 elective)

Past Tech Talks

Maritime Weather: Ordinary req. 13; Able req. 13

Celestial Navigation: Maritime Tradition Elective 3 Websites: U.S. Naval Observatory NOAA Sun Data Celestial Navigation workshop resources: Celestial navigation powerpoint Navigation strip Polaris measurement project Hands-on project: Protractor (or PDF file and Cardboard) String Small weight (a bolt or nut) Straw Tape

STEM opportunities

The Coast Guard & Coast Guard Auxiliary host Safety at Sea training events all over the country

• Safety at Sea Weekend -- Weekend on-the-water training event held jointly with the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Providing Shoreside and Underway Training Opportunities to Sea Scouts
• Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) -- Introduce Sea Scouts to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy Admissions Partners
• University Programs
• Auxiliary Youth Programs