STEM Initiatives Through Naval ArchitectureProf. Paul Miller D.Eng. PE

Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering DepartmentUnited States Naval Academy

Why?

• Our country’s standard of living since the ’40s is heavily based on its technical leadership

• We have fallen from a top position to a low position in the international rankings of student preparation for technical positions

• Our future standard of living will require reversing that trend

• We are here to achieve that!

What is my little piece of the puzzle?• Naval Architecture (Ship Design Engineering)

covers anything that moves on, below or just above the surface of the water. About 30,000 vessels underway right now.

• About equal dollars in three categories:– Commercial (~90% of world trade, or

7,200,000,000,000 pounds annually)– Government (military, research)– Recreational

We have our issues!• Naval Architecture is one of the

top ten “impacted” professions in the US.

• One of the top 10 average salaries• Average age is 54!• Only a handful of schools teach it• Great starting point for careers in

other fields, such as environmental, business

• Basically an unknown profession!• How do we get new folks

involved?

Project-Based Learning!

• Hands-on learning• Technical skills from simple to complex• Project organization and management

– Schedule– Budget– Risk

• Broader understanding of the world• Examples…(all can be Googled!)

Balsa Boat Contest

• Inspired by Ben Franklin!• 1-2’ long boats towed by dropped weights• 100% design and building• $5-10 per boat• Fun!

SeaPerch• Robotic underwater vessels• Kit boat• Lots of educational support material!• Sponsored by US Navy and SNAME• $125-400

Footies

• 1 foot long “box” rule• Fits in a suitcase• 10% electronics, 90%

design and building• $75-200• Nationwide support

MicroMagic• Kit Boat• Fits in a suitcase• Skills: 90% programming, 10% building• $600-1500 per boat• Worldwide competition

SailBot• 2 meters long• 5 meters tall• Fully autonomous• 50% programming/50%

design and building• $1-8K budget• Raced in North America

and Europe• Starting point for

unmanned oceanographic research vessels

Thanks for helping!

USNA has a STEM summer program!