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

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have been an integral part of leading the nautical realm into the future. These disciplines are necessary for anyone who wishes to have any connection with the sea. One of the AUXSCOUT initiative's goals is to foster this connection and to provide a basic knowledge of key STEM competencies. We present STEM topics in a fun way to encourage Sea Scouts to pursue STEM-related careers.

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 / 1600 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

1/26 - Maritime safety equipment : (Ordinary 5b) Facebook Live video feed

Future schedule

• 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) Video

Celestial Navigation: Maritime Tradition Elective 3 Video 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

Federal clean water protection (Ordinary 12; Able 12) Powerpoint Video Websites: Silent Spring: Rachel Carson Silent Spring: Rachel Carson Point Source vs. Non-Point Discharges Point Source vs. Non-Point Discharges Jurisdictional Waters = Navigable Waters: New U.S. Navigable Waters Protection Rule (2020) TMDLs (Total Maximum Discharge Limits) Oil Pollution Aquatic Nuisance Species Aquatic Nuisance Species Hands-on project: Monofilament line recycling BoatUS Foundation resources

Paddlecraft, kayaks and canoes: (Level 3 elective) Video

9/22 - Radar: (Able 10f) Video Hands-on project: Project

10/27 - Radio : (Ordinary 5e) Video

1/26 - Maritime safety equipment : (Ordinary 5b) Video

Projects

The following are fun, easy STEM projects. All are tied to advancement requirements, and reinforce the practical aspects of the subject. Ship leaders are encouraged to download projects and work with the Sea Scouts either in face-to-face or virtual Ship meetings. The projects are fun and hands-on, encourage team-building, and provide STEM experience.

• Elective (Electricity): Wave Generator
• Elective (Maritime Tradition 3): Celestial Navigation_Find Latitude by Polaris

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