April 17, 2025 - Learning Blade, a leading STEM career awareness platform for grades 5–9, is collaborating with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and BlueForge Alliance (BFA) to inspire the next generation of maritime manufacturing professionals.
As part of this collaboration, these organizations have partnered with Loretto Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida, to enable students to experience real-world STEM applications with a field trip to the USS Orleck Jacksonville Museum, where they participated in an engaging visual signaling Morse code class.
Carrie Curtis, Ph.D., Education Initiatives Lead for the MIB Program, emphasized the significance of exposing students to STEM careers. “Introducing students to real-world applications of STEM within the maritime industry is critical in inspiring the next generation of innovators. Hands-on learning experiences like this field trip create meaningful connections between classroom learning and future career opportunities.”
Through Learning Blade’s Beneath the Waves: Building Submarines mission, students were introduced to the importance of STEM in the maritime and defense industries. The program integrates interactive lessons that allow students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, preparing them for future careers in these fields.
“I am thrilled that my students have the opportunity to explore the maritime industry through Learning Blade’s Building Submarines mission. After learning about Morse code and creating LED flashlights to use for signaling in our Gifted program, this hands-on experience is a fantastic way for them to see its real-world applications. They are especially excited after our field trip to the Jacksonville Naval Museum where they were able to take part in the Visual Signaling Morse Code class!” said Kimberly Niebauer, Gifted program teacher at Loretto Elementary School.
“We are dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to explore high-demand careers. This collaboration demonstrates how industry and education can come together to provide valuable, real-world experiences that inspire students to consider careers in shipbuilding, engineering, and beyond,” stated Jerry Wooden, CEO of eDynamic Learning, parent company of Learning Blade.
Through initiatives like this, students gain a deeper appreciation for STEM disciplines and the vital role they play in industries that shape the world. By fostering partnerships between education and industry, Learning Blade, the MIB Program, and BFA continue to pave the way for the next generation of skilled professionals.
For more information about Learning Blade, visit Learning Blade. To learn more about the Navy-funded partnership with Learning Blade, visit here.
Reshared with permission from eDynamic Learning.