Oakcrest High School Students Visit the Tech Center

By Ginger Cairnes

Students listen as Allan Abramowitz explains the purpose behind a recent drop test and the effects on the plane as a result of being dropped.

Recently, about 30 Oakcrest High School juniors and seniors and their advisors visited the Center. Program managers and leads provided demonstrations and information in a variety of areas. These included the Research & Development Human Factors Laboratory (RDHFL), the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) Laboratory, the Weather and Radar Processors (WARP) Laboratory, Crashworthiness testing, and Coast Guard Search and Rescue. Students were also provided time to “fly” the air traffic control simulator in the atrium.

LT Chris Grooms from the U.S. Coast Guard Ground & Rescue Unit, Atlantic City, talks to the group about what happens during a helicopter run.

Through presentations and hands-on experiences that were arranged by the Tech Center’s Visitor Program, the students were able to ask questions about the Center. They returned to school filled with exciting ideas and possibilities for their futures.

Students explore the remains of an early drop test article.

The Visitor Program at the Tech Center provides support for high-level and international visits. The program also encourages educational visits by high school and college students in order to allow them to explore potential careers.

Exploring the cockpit and flying the simulator proved to be challenging as well as fun.