Sailors from all over the country conducted more than 60 different events at different schools of Hillsborough County School District, the fourth largest school district in the country, in support of Tampa Bay Navy Week, May 7th-13th.

From performing concerts for high school students to showcasing bomb disposal robots to a middle school robotics class, visiting schools offers an opportunity to showcase exactly what the Navy does every day around the globe.

"I regard explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) as one of the Navy's best-kept secrets," said Lt. j.g. Ben Thayer, from Tallahassee, Florida, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2. "Not many people know about what we do, so getting out here and being able to show kids and the community what we do and how relevant it is for Soldiers downrange makes a huge difference."

None of the school visits were coincidental. Much like how the EOD group displayed their robots to a robotics classroom, the Navy Band Southeast performed for schools that have musically-intensive curriculum.

"We are known for our music program," said Kenneth Hart, the principal of Alonso High School. "We have a terrific marching band, concert band and orchestra. Our kids are tuned into music and they appreciate it and we want to take the opportunity whenever we can to expose them to more music."

More examples of tailoring visits to the curriculum include Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, the Naval Oceanographic Office, and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

"Everyone was excited to welcome the Navy into their schools and classrooms to interact with their students and tell the Navy's story," said Lt. Cmdr. Scott Mythen, assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach and the planner for Tampa Navy Week school visits.

More than 125 events took place during Tampa Bay from May 7th-13th all across the area, to include the Blue Angels and the Leap Frogs parachute team during the MacDill Airfest May 12th and 13th.

For more information on Tampa Bay Navy Week, please visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Tampa/.

To view photographs from the week's events, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/albums/72157690792566410

For more news from Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), visit www.navy.mil/.

For more information, visit https://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.