The Naval Undersea Museum hosted National "E" Day, Feb. 27.

National "E" Day, or National Engineering Day, is held to engage children and the community into science and technology.

"We hold 'E' Day the last Saturday in February every year and have being doing so for the past 16 years," said Lindy Dosher, Naval Undersea Museum Keyport director. "The activities have changed, now we have robots and more actual engineering activities."

Volunteers range from naval reservists to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) workers.

"I volunteer to help support the community and serve my reserve unit," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kevin Haberner, assigned to Naval Operational Support Center Kitsap. "Being here gives me the opportunity to not only serve my community, but also pass on knowledge to the next generation to prepare for the future."

Participants engage in several stations with a different concept of technology.

"The reason "E" Day is important is it's an opportunity for the public to come in and freely engage in science and technology and receive inspiration," said Valerie Johnson, Naval Undersea Museum educational specialist. "As a museum, we want people to come in and learn what interests them."

Children participated in activities such as building a functional block robot, firing a catapult, and even shooting homemade rockets.

"It is a form of gateway learning," said Johnson. "We provide some instruction and allow the participants to figure out how to reach a goal. This method allows kids to learn [in] their own way instead of forcing them to learn."

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