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Photo Information

Students gather around Annie, the inoperable AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter, which serves as a static display for students to examine during Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Day at Battery Creek High School, April 25. STEM Day serves to peak the interest of local children and educate them in the various the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in various careers.

Photo by Pfc. Brendan Roethel

Students fly from their classes during STEM Day

3 May 2013 | Pfc. Brendan Roethel Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Local students came together for the Battery Creek Aviation/Science, Technology, Engineer­ing and Mathematics Day which was hosted at Bat­tery Creek High School, April 25.

The Celebrate Freedom Foundation’s Student Op­portunity and Rewards Pro­gram, along with Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, gave stu­dents from Battery Creek High School, Robert Smalls Middle School, Broad River and Joseph S. Shankin Ele­mentary Schools hands-on instructions on aviation and STEM courses.

“We hope to ignite a spark in the minds of the next generation, and show them the true importance of science, technology, en­gineering and mathemat­ics in the real world,” said Jack Lovelady, the presi­dent and chief operations officer of the CFF.

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Marines from the Air Station had on display one of their P-19 firefighting trucks. The Marines also wore their protective gear and demonstrated how their equipment works and the uses for each item. At the end of the event they shot water from the fire truck as the students laughed and screamed in amazement.

Two AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters were on display for the event. Maggie, the foundation’s functioning Cobra, is painted in Army Special Forces Vietnam era tiger stripe camouflage with shark teeth and eyes on the helicopters nose. Maggie circled above the school before landing at the school’s field. Annie, the inoperable Cobra, is painted black and serves as a static display for stu­dents to examine.

“The event will give many students direction and inspiration to find a career,” said Spencer Col­lins, a 12th grade student at Battery Creek H.S. “It’s great especially for the younger ones, they could see the helicopter and want to fly it or understand how it works. From there any­thing is possible.”

This event taught stu­dents the opportunities that are available to them in various careers, and showed them the impor­tance of science, tech­nology, engineering and mathematics in not only the aviation fields but in various other career paths as well, said Lovelady.