Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 visited fourth-graders at Hermitage Elementary School in Virginia Beach as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math engagement April 26.

The divers spoke about their mission and used simple math problems to discuss how STEM topics related directly to life as a Navy diver.

"We are here to show students that even boring subjects like mathematics have a use outside the classroom," said Navy Diver 2nd Class Gavin Rowe, assigned to MDSU Company 2-5. "Education is important but not a lot of people think that they'll use what they've learned but we literally use math and science every day for our jobs. Hopefully by talking to the students we can get them to understand the importance of higher education."

The divers also showed videos about Navy diving and followed with a question and answer session. The questions ranged from what it was like to wear the KM-37 diving helmet to what kind of sea life the divers have encountered.

"The students really seemed to enjoy listening to their stories," said Lark Kosloski, a fourth-grade teacher at Hermitage Elementary. "The divers did a great job speaking to the students in an engaging way. It definitely puts the reality in the student's minds as to why they are learning math and science. We're very appreciative of this opportunity because not only do they learn more about what's out there job wise, but they also learn about why they are learning what they are."

MDSU 2 is the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit and is headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

MDSU 2 is assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, which oversees all East Coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 2, and EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2.

For more information from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/eod2/