Armed with Science | Tag Archive | Office of Naval Research

ONR Program Uses Cell Phones to Fight Epidemics

Filed under Life Sciences, STEM, Technology by jtozer on February 3, 2013 at 7:34 am {no comments}

Take that, influenza virus! (Graphic from the CDC)

A program managed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to get ahead of epidemic outbreaks has led to the deployment of new healthcare monitoring and information collection technology in South America and Africa.

Building off of an original project funded by ONR, researchers are collecting data through a text message-based system set up to take advantage of widespread access to handheld devices in Colombia and Zambia.

Through the collection of pictures, videos, texts and geo-location information from cell phones in a given population, researchers can perform complex data analysis and begin to track and map a fluid situation such as an earthquake or the spread of disease.

In Sailing Directions meant to guide the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert has called on the service to employ resources in a variety of situations.

“The U.S. military continues to take on a bigger role in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations around the globe,” said Cmdr. Joseph Cohn, program officer in ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department.

“Real-time epidemiological data allows military decision-makers to be medically prepared and, more locally, provide quicker responses to potential disease outbreaks in close quarters common to military facilities like ships.”

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The Navy’s Support Of Oceanic Research

Filed under Energy by jtozer on January 9, 2013 at 7:38 am {no comments}

An article that recently appeared in the New York Times discussed a project led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to analyze and map underwater sounds in the ocean and determine the locations and densities of marine mammals.

The U.S. Navy is a key contributor to this effort, in terms of funding as well as participation by our marine scientists. We see the project as a great start for managing ocean sound and understanding the effects, and hope to see it continue to grow with collaboration from other research-focused organizations.

Recognizing the complexity of the ocean issues, the wide range of species, and the diverse needs of the stakeholders involved, it is vital that the maps and data that result from this work be based on the best quality science.

Sonar Technician 2nd Class Richard Schnitz, from Filmore, Calif., stands watch in the sonar control room aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

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Free Search Engine Connects Classrooms with Science and Technology

Filed under Education & Culture, STEM by jtozer on January 3, 2013 at 7:19 am {no comments}

An educational search engine funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has gone mobile with the release of an iPad app.

Gooru, a free search engine for learning that brings together science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational materials on the web-developed the Gooru Collections iPad app to bring thousands of assorted multimedia resources to teachers and students on the go.

Launched with initial investment from ONR, Gooru provides a one-stop shop for fifth- to 12th-graders and their teachers to discover and share high-quality videos, games, digital textbooks, quizzes and other interactive products related to STEM and eventually other subjects.

“ONR’s STEM efforts are looking for ways to inspire, engage and educate current and future STEM leaders,” said Cmdr. Joseph Cohn, ONR’s deputy director of research for STEM. “This technology promises to have a broad reach and would facilitate millions of students and teachers in developing a deeper understanding of a range of STEM disciplines.”

Last year, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced plans to strengthen the service’s future workforce by doubling the investment in STEM education over the next five years. The secretary shared this vision at a conference sponsored by ONR, which coordinates the Navy’s STEM efforts and offers a collaborative website at STEM2Stern.org.

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Popular Science

Filed under Education & Culture, Robots, STEM by jtozer on December 18, 2012 at 7:00 am {no comments}

Semester exams are looming, with an extended holiday break on their heels. But before Dr. Andrea Thomaz closes the Socially Intelligent Machines Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the season, the lab hosted a few more visitors last week for the final experiment of the semester.

The lab welcomes guests to interact with Simon, a humanoid robot developed with seed funds from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). These interactions allow student-researchers to adjust software models for Simon’s learning and behavior generation. And it all starts once Thomaz and her team wake the resting robot.

“Simon, can you hear me?” Thomaz asks

“Yes, can you hear me?” Simon responds in kind.

Standing nearly 5 feet tall, the robot is surrounded by an arc of desks where students design, refine and stabilize his software to demonstrate his range of skills. He’s alert and ready for interaction.

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STEM In Real Life

Filed under Education & Culture, STEM, Videos by jtozer on November 28, 2012 at 7:02 am {no comments}

The STEM program, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, is geared toward fostering an interest in these fields in young people. United States Navy and the Office of Naval Research Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) efforts and specific programs give students an interesting look at how those skills are used in innovative, real world situations.

Check this out:

Video provided by the Office of Naval Research’s YouTube channel

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Math, Science Group Expands Advanced Placement In Military-connected Schools

Filed under Education & Culture, STEM by jtozer on November 25, 2012 at 7:36 am {no comments}

Military-connected students are getting better access to advanced placement courses in public high schools and more support in those classes thanks to the efforts of a national nonprofit organization.

The National Math Science Initiative is expanding a program it started two years ago to add the College Board’s AP courses in high schools with high populations of military-connected students. The NMSI started its Initiative for Military Families in the 2010-11 school year by adding AP courses in math, science and English at two public high schools near Fort Hood, Texas, and two near Fort Campbell, Ky., and giving them extra support, NMSI Vice President Gregg Fleisher recently told American Forces Press Service.

The program was expanded to 52 high schools in 15 states for the school year that began this fall, Fleisher said. They hope to expand to 80 schools by next fall, he said.

“The program is designed to get more schools to offer more courses to more students to see what college is like,” Fleisher said.

The nonprofit College Board has developed college-level curriculum in 34 courses, according to the board. Students who pass, or “qualify,” on an AP final exam receive college credit for having taken the course in high school.

Students who take AP courses are better prepared for college and those who pass an AP exam are three times more likely to complete college, Fleisher said.

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Hybrid Fuels & The Military

Filed under Energy, Videos by jtozer on November 2, 2012 at 7:02 am {no comments}

A summary of Office of Naval Research (ONR) on-going development of solar/fuel hybridization technologies that dramatically reduce fuel required for tactical Marine Corps operations. This video highlights the efforts of three key performers.

Video provided by the Office of Naval Research

Lightening the Load

Filed under Technology, Videos by jtozer on October 31, 2012 at 7:05 am {one comment}

Marking a return to its high-mobility, high-tempo expeditionary roots, the Marine Corps is focused on the need to “Lighten the Load” for the warfighter — and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is putting a heavy effort into innovative new technologies that will help.

This video highlights a number of the technologies from ONR that aid the Marines as the service reemphasizes mobile, amphibious capabilities.