From February 21-25, national Navy leadership will visit Parkland, Pebble Hills, J.M. Hanks, CCTE, William H. Burges and Jefferson high schools, as well as UTEP and Western Technical College, in search of high-ability students who have what it takes to excel in cutting-edge STEM fields, such as nuclear engineering, cryptology, IT and health care.
Navy leaders also will discuss the $180,000 NROTC Scholarship Program, which pays full college tuition for students with exceptional credentials.
The main attraction at the Parkland High, UTEP and Jefferson High visits will be the Nimitz, a mobile, state-of the-art virtual reality experience that simulates a high-speed rescue of Navy SEALS under fire.
“The Navy chose to visit El Paso because of its diverse population and the multitude of bright and driven young people in the area who would benefit greatly from a Navy career,” says Lieutenant Commander Claudia Alday, a native of El Paso, who helps lead Navy Outreach and Diversity efforts. “We want students throughout El Paso to understand that the Navy is a smart career choice, and we are prepared to invest in exceptional student leaders.”
The Nimitz Virtual Reality Experience
So, what exactly happens inside the mobile, 18-wheeler, Nimitz virtual reality experience? Participants go through a video briefing before strapping on an Oculus Rift headset and a piece of wearable technology called a SubPac (traditionally used by Club DJs) that percusses in real time to the sounds of the mission. Participants navigate the mission using a cutting-edge steering wheel and throttle system that replicate the actual sensation of piloting a high-speed SWCC while extracting SEALs. Once finished, participants move to the debriefing station, where they receive feedback and a performance grade. Video preview of the Nimitz.
Schedule of Events:
Monday, February 21
Parkland High School
5932 Quail Ave, El Paso, TX 79924
Nimitz Virtual Reality Experience, 8:30 am-4 pm
Pebble Hills High School
14400 Pebble Hills Blvd., El Paso, TX 79938
Classroom presentations, 9am-3 pm
J.M. Hanks High School
2001 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935
Classroom presentations, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tuesday, February 21
Center for Career & Technology Education
1170 N. Walnut, El Paso, TX, 79930
Classroom presentations, 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Western Technical College
9451 Diana Dr., El Paso, TX 79924
Classroom presentations, 9:30 am-Noon
Wednesday, February 22
University of Texas – El Paso
500 W. University Ave., El Paso TX 79968
Nimitz Virtual Reality Experience, 9 am-4 pm
Thursday, February 23
William H. Burges High School
7800 Edgemere Blvd., El Paso, TX 79925
Classroom presentations, 9-11:30 am
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Friday, February 25
Jefferson High School
4700 Alameda Ave., El Paso, TX 79905
Nimitz activation, 8 am-4 pm
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