Expo visitors test out the SeaPerch – A remotely-operated underwater vehicle – to learn concepts such as propulsion, weight, and buoyancy (Photo: DoD)

“Wow,” “Awesome,” and “I did it!,” were among the many expressions heard in and around the Defense Department’s (D0D) exhibits at the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo this past weekend, October 23 and 24. The Expo was the culminating event of a two-week celebration of science and engineering in our Nation’s capitol.

Under sunny skies, youth and adults packed five and six rows deep crowded 23 DoD booths displaying hands-on technologies used by military service members in the field and demonstrations of scientific and engineering concepts. DoD’s participation was part of more than 500 exhibits and a full two-day schedule of stage shows and lectures on the National Mall and Freedom Plaza.

Technologies present included flexible and protective materials used in uniforms and vehicles, digital computer displays used in battlefield planning, three-dimensional air defense systems, the manipulation of robots via wireless sensors, and gloveboxes used to recreate construction and repair work done by astronauts in zero gravity.

Concepts taught included magnetic and acoustic resonance, conservation and environmental clean-up, propulsion, buoyancy, aircraft and boat design, genetics, and physics.

Several exhibits also demonstrated robotics through the popular remotely-operated vehicle, SeaPerch. Click here for a full list of DoD’s exhibits.

A big thank to you DoD leadership for their support of the Festival Expo and to the many DoD participants who worked tirelessly to inspire youth and encouraging adults as educational partners. You can see a full gallery of images below or on the Armed with Science Facebook Page.
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The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo takes place October 23 & 24, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., in Washington, D.C.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival kicked-off on October 10^th in Washington, D.C. It enables greater awareness and recognition of the role of science and technology in our lives and society in so many ways.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is heavily involved in the Festival, as science and technology are of utmost importance to our mission. DoD is one of the top employers of scientists and engineers (100,000) of any federal agency, and relies on their expertise for National security. Additionally, DoD research sometimes results in products used in business, education, and by consumers, enabling our Nation’s economic potential.

DoD’s own involvement in the Festival started on October 5^th. Nominated as one of the Nation’s top 50 scientific minds (“Nifty Fifty”), Mr. Zachary Lemnios, the Director, Defense Research and Engineering, visited Wheaton High School in Silver Spring, Md. He spoke with students about the necessity of science in our society, and the benefits of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Department will also be among more than 1,500 exhibits at the Festival Expo on the National Mall near the Smithsonian on October 23 and 24. The Festival will give kids and adults the opportunity to try hands-on experiments and technology. Be sure to join us this weekend to learn more about STEM careers, whiz-bang technologies, and how DoD is using science to make life better for all of us.

Best of all, the festival is free, open to all ages, and requires no pre-registration.

Below, you’ll find in no particular order (except from top to bottom) the various DoD groups that you can visit at the festival. Don’t miss out on this chance to get SCIENCED!

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