Carderock Signs Partnership Agreements with Montgomery County

From Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division Public Affairs

WEST BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock signed three partnership agreements with Montgomery County, Md., and Montgomery County's college and public school systems Jan. 24, officially recognizing the center's support to schools and local business community.

Carderock Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Meyer, along with Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Public School Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast and Montgomery College Interim Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services Paula Matuskey, signed the three agreements at a ceremony marking the county's first such agreements with Carderock.

"Educational and intermediary partnership agreements like these will further strengthen our already close relationship with Montgomery County," said Meyer. "By working closely with and mentoring students at all levels and guiding local companies through the process of conducting business with a federal agency, we hope to build interest in [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] careers and provide collaborative research opportunities with local businesses."

The business agreement, known as a partnership intermediary agreement, will allow local companies to better leverage the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development to identify Navy-developed technology available for licensing; participate in technology showcases targeting Montgomery County businesses, and Carderock research and development; have better access to programs and resources for developing research collaborations with Carderock; and participate in one-on-one or small group meetings with the Carderock Technology Transfer Office.

Additionally, Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College each entered into their own separate but related education partnership agreements with Carderock.

Through the new collaboration, students at all levels will have opportunities to put science and technology education into real-world practice. One outreach program will give local students the opportunity to work with engineers from Carderock to design, build and test remotely operated vehicles and robots. The students then have the opportunity to take a field trip to test their designs in the same pools that the U.S. Navy uses for its ship testing. Carderock will also host math events to help students prepare them for regional and national math competitions.

The Montgomery College agreement will provide a mechanism by which students can benefit from Carderock's staff expertise, unique facilities and equipment. Carderock's contributions to this partnership will help encourage student interest in science, mathematics and engineering, and benefit the laboratory by providing advance training to future employees.

"The official recognition of these three important agreements with Carderock represents a real trifecta, but with all the players finishing first," said county executive Leggett. "To have a leading federal installation such as Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division seek out separate yet mutually beneficial agreements, spanning elementary school students up through our current workforce, demonstrates their proactive approach to supporting local businesses and the local economy via increased tech transfer opportunities."

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.