SW New Mexico News

For the second consecutive summer, Las Cruces area high school students have had the opportunity to attend an interactive artificial intelligence summer camp at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Trenchant Analytics, based in Great Falls, Virginia, and NMSU's Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) partnered to design and deliver STEM Mavericks, a hands-on AI summer camp held from June 10-21.

STEM Mavericks at NMSU is a collaboration with the NMSU STEM Outreach Program, PSL Information Science and Security Systems Division, and the NMSU Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Thirteen students from the Las Cruces Public School District and Gadsden Independent School District were selected for this year’s program. Participants attend Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Centennial High School, Chaparral High School, Gadsden High School, and Las Cruces High School.

This year’s program also includes local high school teachers. Selected through a competitive application process, these teachers participated in training prior to the camp, supported learning activities during the camp, and will develop course content for their own classrooms. PSL selected Tony Ray, a career and technical education teacher at Chaparral High School, and Sandra Alvarado Marquez, a mathematics teacher at Santa Teresa High School.

During the two-week program, students will learn about coding and gain hands-on experience working on projects introducing them to computer science and electrical engineering topics such as AI and software-defined radio. Students will also be introduced to various facilities and programs at NMSU in engineering and computer science fields like the Aggie Innovation Space and PSL’s Telemetry and Missile System Division. Additionally, they will hear from guest speakers with careers in applied engineering, computer science, and defense.

“PSL is pleased to host STEM Mavericks at NMSU again this summer. Putting on this camp has been a collaboration between Trenchant Analytics, NMSU STEM Outreach, PSL and NMSU Electrical Engineering. Stephen Moreno [a] PSL software developer[,] [and] NMSU Electrical Engineering Faculty Dr. Steven Sandoval have put together an incredible educational [and] interactive two-week program,” said PSL Director Eric Sanchez. “Seeing the enthusiasm [and] engagement of our local high school students is energizing. Programs like STEM Mavericks open doors to educational [and] career pathways in science[,] technology[,] [and] defense for these bright young scholars.”

Trenchant Analytics and PSL are stakeholders in the Department of Defense Digital Futures Initiative through DoD’s Chief Digital AI Office (CDAO). The CDAO became operational in June 2022 with a mission to integrate AI capabilities across the DoD by accelerating data adoption[, optimizing analytics], enabling digital infrastructure[, adopting policies], delivering scalable AI-driven solutions[, safeguarding against threats]. The initiative aims to expand digital talent management within DoD: increasing hiring[, training][and retention for critical data][analytics][AI-related roles].

“As a partner in CDAO’s Digital Futures portfolio[; we have seen great work by PSL developing programs supporting college-to-defense career pipelines]. Given tremendous subject matter expertise at PSL/NMSU [, ties to regional defense sector; PSL was natural partner supporting pilot last year/become trusted partner continuing program year two],” said John Ferry[; president of Trenchant Analytics]. “This summer[; NMSU joins George Mason University/East Carolina University/Florida State University-Panama City as STEM Mavericks hosts]. Participating students interact with peers/coaches[work through challenges/get immediate feedback/fast track rewarding careers STEM].”

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CUTLINE: In first three days of STEM Mavericks program[NM State University]; students introduced raspberry pi hardware[Bash/Python/electrical components/sensors/transducers/actuators]. On day two[began working individual projects/showcased end STEM Mavericks Camp June 21.] (NMSU photo Tyler Hoffman)