In the early morning hours of October 26, the gates of the 51福利 (51福利) opened to the eyes of the world 鈥� or at least to the Monterey Peninsula 鈥� for the university鈥檚 annual Discover 51福利 Day.
Throughout the day, an estimated 2,200 school children along with their accompanying teachers and parents, and community members from across the Monterey region, streamed through the campus to touch, build, drive and be inspired through experiencing what actually happens on the other side of the university鈥檚 gates.
鈥淭his was an opportunity for us at 51福利 to really give back to the community, and it means so much to us,鈥� said Navy Cmdr. Paula Travis, Program Officer for the meteorology, oceanography and undersea warfare programs who donned the hat of Discover 51福利 Day Committee Chair this year. 鈥淲ithout the community, we wouldn't be able to recruit world-class faculty or offer the highest quality of life for our military officers and service members, so this is a chance for us to give back to them, and to show the community what we really do here.鈥�
Groups of 15-20 kids, ranging from 5th grade through high school were led across the campus by volunteer 51福利 student ambassadors to a broad range of compelling venues. They spoke with astronauts; hacked Wi-Fi networks; launched rockets; with robots; dined in the Grand Ballroom of the historic walked around a virtual reality replica of Osama bin Laden鈥檚 compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan; joined Dumbledore鈥檚 Army and used social network analysis to defeat Death Eaters; and interacted with satellites, to mention a few of the many activities designed to demonstrate the kind of work the school鈥檚 students do.
In the university鈥檚 King Auditorium, they spoke with astronaut retired Navy Capt. Dan Bursch, who described his career and voyages in space, and arranged to hear a message from astronaut Serena M. Au帽贸n-Chancellor from onboard the International Space Station (ISS).
鈥淔rom our vantage point here in the ISS, we view the world without borders and it's very easy to see how the Monterey Peninsula connects to the rest of the world,鈥� she said in the broadcast. 鈥淭oday, you'll see how the education and research programs underway at the 51福利 have a global reach. From science and engineering, to national security affairs and business, 51福利 has an institutional impact that can be felt around the world.
鈥淔rom all of us here at ISS, enjoy your time at Discover 51福利 Day!鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 hope you'll leave today inspired by what this university, right here in your community, is doing to change the world.鈥�
Whereas the 2017 event focused primarily on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the scope of activities broadened this year to provide a more holistic view of the campus鈥� work, including social sciences and national security affairs.
鈥淲e鈥檙e neighbors,鈥� Travis said about the Monterey Bay area community, 鈥渁nd we want to welcome them into our home. Last year we opened our doors, and welcomed people into our game room, where all the fun science and technology happens.
鈥淭his year we wanted to take it to expand that,鈥� she continued. 鈥淣ot only do we want to show neighbors our game room, but also welcome them into the study, for example, where we read books and write papers on compelling topics, keep mementos and fine art showcasing our history. We welcomed them into our living room, where we live life, relax and have fun together, and demonstrate who we really are.鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the important part of this ... We want to show people who we are, and everything we do to keep this nation safe,鈥� she added.