Instead of hitting the beach, more than 30 Girl Scouts from across the Philadelphia region eagerly participated in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) summer camp, Aug. 1-14.

The intense, two-week program culminated with a close-out ceremony, poster competition, and test site tours at Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NAVSSES) in Philadelphia, Aug. 14.

"I am exceptionally pleased to host you and to tell you about the work we do to supply the Navy," said NAVSSES Commanding Officer Capt. Walter Coppeans, as he thanked the middle school students for briefing him on their projects they were trying to "sell" to the Navy. "We relish the opportunity to share what we do, especially as we rely on our fellow Americans to support us day in and day out."

The 7th through 10th graders started the summer camp by planning and designing robot prototypes, focusing on alternative energy sources. The next steps were programming their robots, using 3D printing technology, testing their robots, and creating their posters.

With mock business names such as Horizontal Wind and H2O Industries, the competition was fierce among the Scouts, who were judged on the appearance of their poster, presentation skills, company information, quality of charts, engineering progress and roles, and innovative design. They had to convey several weeks' worth of hard work in a mere five minutes to a roving panel of NAVSSES engineers.

The winning team, Kamal Crane Inc., boasted members from Hill Freedman World Academy, Wagner Middle School, and W.C. Longstreth School - all in Philadelphia.

This is the fourth year NAVSSES partnered with Philadelphia University and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania for this summer STEM camp, sponsored by the National Defense Education Program.

"The U.S. Navy is key, and we couldn't do it without any of the three organizations," said Alyson Iovacchini, a Roberto Clemente Middle School science and robotics teacher, who expressed excitement at participating for a second year in a row. "But the Navy is certainly a huge part of it."

The Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia is the Navy's principal test and evaluation station and in-service engineering agent for all hull, mechanical and electrical ship systems and equipment, and has the capability to test and engineer the full range of shipboard systems and equipment, from full-scale propulsion systems to digital controls and electric power systems.

For more news from Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, visit www.navy.mil/