Local students watch main battle tank crush car on STEM day at YPG
Every year the Yuma Proving Ground hosts it’s annual S.T.E.M day encouraging kids to pursue a career in either the sciences, technology, engineering or mathematics. The Yuma Proving ground hosted their 5th annual S.T.E.M day Wednesday morning.
This event included many demonstrations from a battle tank crushing a car to students riding inside the vehicles themselves. All with one common goal in mind, sparking an interest in S.T.E.M careers for these students.
Nothing gets in the way of a massive 60-ton m1 main battle tank at Yuma Proving Ground.
“A car doesn’t get in the way of a military tank or a military piece of equipment,” shared Colonel Poppenberger.
It was part of the experience for 150 local students… Who are part of the engineering 102 classes offered at the following local high schools, Cibola, San Luis, Yuma, Kofa and Gila Ridge.
“I wasn’t really aware of how much they do and then when you come in here you see all the tanks…The planes flying..Its really kind of eye opening to how much Yuma does,” shared Ian Salgado, Cibola High School student.
As one of the largest military installations in the world , YPG tests all the combat arsenal before it hits the battle ground and for that you need highly trained engineers and math-savvy personnel to make sure the equipment works properly.
Cibola High physics teacher, Steven Fritz has noticed that this field trip helps give his students insight into this career path.
“We have the nations premier testing ground for vehicles, for air vehicles, ammunition…All kinds of different things our kids are unfamiliar with, but being able to bring them out here they can see all the opportunities that can open doors for them out here.”
Out of the 150 students that attended this event only nine were females.
YPG says that this might be because many ladies did not sign up for the engineering 102 class that the local high schools provide.
Therefore, ladies, if you are interested in a career like this then this is the class you would want to sign up for next year.
Colonel Ross Poppenberger also says YPG is always looking to hire the next generation of engineers.
Check out YPG: YUMA PROVING GROUND JOBS
