Sharing 3-D technology, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) participated in Maker Fest Aug. 20, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event held at the various museums in Olde Town, Portsmouth.

Maker Fest Portsmouth included a full day of creating, building, and making for the families of Hampton Roads. Interactive demonstrations and booths stretched along the streets and within the museum buildings to educate visitors about old and new technologies.

NNSY, who partnered with Combat Direction Systems Activity (CDSA) Dam Neck, in Virginia Beach, was stationed at the Children's Museum of Virginia. Their booth focused on 3-D printing and how using the 3-D printers benefit the ship repair industry.

"We really enjoy these types of events because it gives us an opportunity to share this technology with the children of the community and their families," said Kim Brashears, subcommittee lead for Community Outreach of the NNSY Technology and Innovation Community of Practice (NNSY T&I COP). "It's really gratifying to see kids interact with the prints and be able to ask questions and share their interests. These types of events introduce children at a younger age to all the new technologies and innovations available and give them the opportunity to see areas they may be interested in the future. We're pleased to be part of this community and to share with them what technologies we've been using at NNSY."

This STEM event was the first where NNSY partnered with CDSA Dam Neck. Both groups are involved in the Hampton Roads Additive Manufacturing (AM) Community of Interest.

"We're always looking for ways to work together with the Navy community in Hampton Roads. The community of interest meets frequently to work together on AM projects," said Jim Lambeth, lead of the Additive Manufacturing Group at CDSA Dam Neck. Both he and his wife Carolyn are mechanical engineers involved with the group. "By being in this community of interest, we are able to share ideas and learn from each other's mistakes. In addition, we can leverage each other's capabilities so we don't need to duplicate technology in the future. It's a team effort all around."

NNSY's Outreach Program Manager, Valerie Fulwood, is thrilled to see the technologies of the shipyard and Navy shared within the community. "It's truly amazing to see the efforts of our shipyard and of the various teams within the community showcasing their talents for the families at these events," said Fulwood. "Not only is the community learning more about technologies like 3D printing but they also see what the shipyard has to offer."

"We're happy to be able to work together to educate the kids and their families about STEM," said Jim Lambeth. "The kids and their parents all seemed very interested in what we had to offer in terms of technology and it was a great effort all around."

NNSY, a Naval Sea Systems Command field activity, is the oldest industrial facility belonging to the U.S. Navy, and specializes in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines.


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