07/01/2026
What an incredible week at STEM in Defense 2026! 🚁
Here's a look back at an amazing week:
📍 Monday: Students kicked off the week at the California Baptist University School of Aviation, where they worked in teams to build colorful tower prototypes, developing their engineering design, communication, and problem-solving skills.
⚓ Tuesday: Students toured NAVSEA Corona, learning about STEM careers and educational pathways within the U.S. Navy. While photos and videos were not permitted due to security regulations, students gained valuable insight into the innovative work being done to support our nation's defense.
🚁 Wednesday: Students visited the UCR XCITE Lab at the University of California, Riverside Bourns College of Engineering, where they experienced hands-on drone technology. Students learned the fundamentals of drone operation, explored how drones are used in STEM careers, and even created videos of their teams using the drones. It was an exciting day filled with learning, creativity, and fun!
💻 Thursday: Students visited the IE Tech Bridge at Norco College, one of only three educational institutions partnering with NAVSEA to strengthen the Inland Empire's workforce in critical industries. Students learned about opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, data visualization, and advanced manufacturing while continuing to refine their presentations in preparation for Friday's Design Challenge.
🏆 Friday: The week concluded at the California Baptist University Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, where student teams presented their innovative design projects to a panel of judges. After showcasing a week of hard work, creativity, and collaboration, three winning teams were recognized, and every participant received a certificate celebrating their accomplishments.
From aviation and drone technology to defense careers, and engineering design, our students embraced every challenge with curiosity, teamwork, and enthusiasm.
Thank you to all of our incredible partners and collaborators for investing in the next generation of STEM innovators and leaders. We couldn't do it without you!