Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 12 emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) during a demonstration at David A. Boody Middle School in Brooklyn as a part of Fleet Week New York (FWNY), May 27.

Students appeared enthralled by radio-controlled robots, explosives detection gear, and tactical equipment EOD Sailors employ on the ground, in the air, and underwater.

"A lot of the stuff that we do uses science, physics, and chemistry, along with reading and writing in order to communicate," said Senor Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Kevin Borokowski. "For example, our dive training involves a lot of physics that involve temperature and pressure. As you advance to higher education, you're going to need all of the (STEM courses) in order to do things like the cool stuff we get to do ... I just want to really emphasize how important these subjects are."

STEM is an initiative and educational program designed to provide students with opportunities to be successful in the various career fields. Its purpose within schools is to help encourage students to pursue careers in these areas.

"This demonstration is amazing; they learned so much," said Rania Joudeh, a sixth-grade math teacher. "STEM subjects are important especially at this age. These students are so young and are shaped by these [types] of experiences."

FWNY, now in its 28th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity to for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.

For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit the official FWNY website at http://www.fleetweeknewyork.com/, "Like" FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or "Follow" @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. FWNY photos can be viewed on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao/ and Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc/. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.

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

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit http://www.navy.mil/.