Health & Fitness
BDJMS in the News!
A recent article was published on the US NAVY media site sharing the interactions of an ongoing volunteer effort from Commander Submarine Group 2 and their impact on BDJMS STEM-based instruction.
The below was published by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/EXW) Jason J. Perry, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs on the US Navy Media Website on February 7, 2013. The link for the original story is located at the bottom.
COMSUBGRU 2 Sailors Volunteer at a New London Middle School
NEW LONDON, Conn. (NNS) -- Several Sailors from Commander, Submarine Group 2 volunteered at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London providing guidance and mentorship in science and writing-based curriculum, Feb. 6.
Legalman 1st Class Ru Li, one of the Sailors who volunteered her time at the middle school, studied the curriculum beforehand, and using her knowledge of origami she created deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) paper craft shapes to provide interactive 3-D images for the students to use in their classroom discussions.
"Understanding that children all learn differently, I wanted to take a different approach by sharing my knowledge of origami with these children to help them better understand the make-up of a DNA strand," said Li, who is herself a mother of teenage twins.
Li's participation at Bennie Dover Jackson is part of an ongoing effort by Commander, Submarine Group 2 and various other Naval Submarine Base New London assigned commands to reach out to students through their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) school-based curriculum.
The use of interactive learning is something Erica Watson, an 8th grade science teacher at the middle school, is passionate about using in her STEM-based curriculum. In addition to innovative learning, she also uses a creative confidence booster with her students by referring to them as doctors, as a way to inspire them to apply themselves through hard work and studying, to achieve the seemingly impossible.
"I want to encourage them to consider themselves as scientists," said Watson. "It is a way for them to elevate themselves and their goals and reach for the top."
Prior to their most recent visit at Bennie Dover Jackson, Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge, commander, Submarine Group 2 spoke with more than 80 students at the middle school last November. Following that visit, more than 60 students from the school visited Naval Submarine Library and Museum, also in November, as a way to continue their STEM educational focus.
Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was named in honor of the first African-American teacher in New London.
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The link to the original story is
Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Credit for this story is due to both Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/EXW) Jason J. Perry, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs for writing it and our very own Erica Watson for her contnued support of our STEM Programs at the middle school.
