Free STEM Event Thurs. June 26th

The Dahlgren Heritage Museum, in partnership with the prestigious NSWCDD STEM Group, will conduct its 4th 2025 free STEM session for local 3rd to 6th graders.  Guided by STEM Champion and instructor Ms. Erica Borgers, who serves as a Senior Scientist at NSWC Dahlgren, the students will participate in a fun environmental science geothermal demonstration. This activity is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about all of the energy contained within the earth! They will be inspired to be a part of the solution that is vital to our future on this planet in learning about other methods to supply energy. For this reason, we will conduct a fun, hands-on activity that simulates geothermal energy production. This renewable and sustainable resource produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions and provides a consistent and reliable source of energy. It also has a relatively small land footprint and can be used for various applications, including heating and cooling.

Background: 

Geothermal energy is thermal energy extracted from Earth's crust. It combines energy from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay and has been exploited as a source of heat and/or electric power for millennia. Geothermal heating, using water from hot springs, for example, has been used for bathing since Paleolithic times and for space heating since Roman times. Geothermal power (generation of electricity from geothermal energy), has been used since the 20th century. Unlike wind and solar energy, geothermal plants produce power at a constant rate, without regard to weather conditions. Geothermal resources are theoretically more than adequate to supply humanity's energy needs. Most extraction occurs in areas near tectonic plate boundaries.

Parents/guardians are welcome to wait at the museum or to return for pickup by 7:30 p.m. Adults are asked to sign a consent form for photos to be used by the museum. The event is free, but donations to the museum are appreciated.

Sign your student up today at: https://www.dahlgrenmuseum.org/events-calendar