STEM EXPO 2016: A Huge Success!

The new STEM EXPO at the 6th annual WHS BBQ at US Coast Guard TISCOM Alexandria was a huge success!

Kids traveled from all across the National Capital Region to see, handle, and immerse themselves in STEM up close! The line up of homeland security assets was impressive: from search and rescue helicopters to mobile command vehicles to humvees, and more!

At the day-long event, students learned about recent search and rescue missions from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Air and Marine Operations and the Fairfax County Police helicopter pilots. They got up close to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) humvee which – with a 7-foot width - makes it a stable, road–hugging vehicle that resists rollover. At the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) crime scene response unit, they learned about hazardous evidence collection, and even took home crime scene tape for their rooms! They also toured HSI's mobile command vehicle (MCV) and its communications and video technology that assists special agents with their investigative efforts, including helping to size-up an incident and to communicate information to on-scene teams and to other agencies through a satellite link that broadcasts live video feed. From Fairfax County's Virginia Task Force One, students learned about all of the components and technologies that ambulances and fire trucks carry on board - from brushfire gear to gas detectors to hazmat supplies – all items vital to saving lives and infrastructure!

A big thank you to all of the agencies that brought out their mission-critical assets -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, US Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfax County Police, and Fairfax County's Virginia Task Force One!

We look forward to seeing STEM enthusiasts from everywhere attending the 7th Annual WHS BBQ and STEM EXPO September 2017!