Capt. Nathan Hale School Students Explore STEM Careers at UConn ANCHOR Engineering Day
On Monday, February 9, thirty 8th grade students from Capt. Nathan Hale School (CNH) attended Advancing Naval Careers through Higher-ed Outreach and Research (ANCHOR) Engineering Day at the University of Connecticut (UConn). The event was presented by Navy STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in partnership with UConn and General Dynamics Electric Boat.
ANCHOR Engineering Day is a one-day, interactive conference designed to introduce 8th grade students to the many possibilities within STEM. The program connects classroom learning to exciting, real-world career pathways in engineering and related fields.
Throughout the day, CNH students participated in volunteer-led workshops and engaging, hands-on sessions led by students from the UConn School of Engineering. During the morning activities, students worked collaboratively to design and build a pier, construct a boat, and develop a mobile defense platform. Each challenge required teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking that are key skills used by engineers every day.
In the afternoon, students attended “Tool Clues” sessions featuring UConn Engineering alumni and professional engineers from across Connecticut. Speakers shared insights into their educational journeys and career experiences in engineering and technology. Students were encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and use problem-solving skills to identify each professional’s role and responsibilities.
The experience provided CNH students with a valuable opportunity to network with UConn students, collaborate with peers from across the state, and apply their engineering skills in authentic, real-world contexts. ANCHOR Engineering Day served as both an inspiring and educational experience, helping students envision future pathways in STEM fields.
This information was provided by the Capt. Nathan Hale School. For more information, please contact Principal, Ross Sward, at rsward@coventryct.org.
