Lexington Park, MD (4/8/2025)—On Thursday, March 13th, 2025, over 700 students from 17 schools in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles Counties participated in the 3rd annual SPARK! Student Career Awareness Fair.
The SPARK Career Awareness Fair at the USMSM SMART Building is part of the SoMD 2030 Workforce Development initiative, funded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aviation Division (NAWCAD).
There were 40 exhibitors, including seven NAWCAD divisions. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Naval Surface Warfare Center- Indian Head, NAVAIR Business & Finance Operations Dept., the St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles County Sheriff’s Office, USMSM Clark Engineering-Matrix Lab, and St. Mary’s County Dept. of Emergency Services, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, MedStar Hospital, LEAP, the College of Southern Maryland, St Mary’s College of Maryland, SMECO, and many other organizations participated. (see full list at end).
There were interactive, hands-on booths and activities operated by knowledgeable personnel. Students received firsthand insights into various local career opportunities ranging from STEM to finance, healthcare, skilled trades, and any number of career choices with industry partners.
As buses arrived in relays throughout the day, with students from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Public Schools, Kings Christian Academy, and St. Mary’s Ryken High School, 24 volunteers organized and ushered them throughout the exhibits and labs at a pace that allowed for interactive engagement, hands-on activities, lots of questions, with a break for lunch.
Industry partners had the following to say: The Naval Surface Warfare Center- Indian Head Division, who always have great exhibition space, “We are igniting the SPARK for the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians! More than 700 Southern Maryland high school students learned how STEM influences the command’s robots, ejection seat technology, and other products that ensure the fleet to win the fight. This collaboration with The Patuxent Partnership and NAWCAD aims to develop local STEM pipelines and expose students to career opportunities in their communities.” Resource Management Concepts, Inc. “We’re thrilled to connect with the next generation of IT professionals, share insights, and support the future of the industry!” “Our Precise Team was thrilled to participate in The Patuxent Partnership’s 3rd annual SPARK! Career Fair last Thursday! Our Recruiters and Engineers had the opportunity to talk to the Southern Maryland STEM professionals of tomorrow to discuss the careers and opportunities available to them in the field. Students from St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties all had the
chance to engage to explore the different capabilities our organization offers. They had a great time learning how to turn on a lightbulb, move objects through hoops, and fix a bike – all with a touch! We are excited to see how these trailblazing students will transform our local STEM community and beyond! “
Lee Greely from St. Mary’s Economic Development had the following to say, “Another fantastic SPARK! Career Fair in the books. Congratulations to Chris Abell and the entire The Patuxent Partnership team for wonderful execution. It was great to see such robust industry participation.
Students surveyed reported being more confident in making career decisions after attending the SPARK! Fair. The feedback from exhibitors has been very positive:
Carly Rutherford from the Technical Workforce Development Office at NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) said, “I liked how the whole building was used for the event, giving students a bigger glimpse of the SMART facility. I also loved live demos from UMD and St. Mary’s College. “
“The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) commits to teaching and training Southern Maryland’s current and future workforce, so we were honored to again support the wonderful work of The Patuxent Partnership at the Spark! Fair this year,” said CSM President, Dr. Yolanda Wilson. “Community colleges play a vital role in building a strong regional workforce, and it is a journey that we proudly embark on collectively with all of our partners in the southern Maryland region.”
Wilson – along with two of her sons – volunteered as greeters and guides for the participating high school students, CSM Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership, Program Coordinator Christine Owens met with attendees at the CSM booth to showcase the diversity of pathways for students interested in STEM, Health and Nursing, and Trades – pursuing certificates, credentials, or an associate degree.
“Spending the day with high school students from our community at the SPARK event was inspiring and filled me with confidence about the future of our nation. Seeing the maturity of our future leaders, listening to their thoughtful questions, and gaining insight into their thoughts and curiosities was instructive and inspirational for me. The energy at the event was palpable, and I applaud TPP and the school systems who participated in the event for creating an environment where the students could actively engage with an incredibly diverse spectrum of potential future employers,” said Scott White, TPP Board President, President/CEO HTii.
Chris Abell, Workforce Development Director and organizer of the 2025 SPARK Career Awareness Fair, explained, “The SPARK! Career Awareness Fair plays a crucial role in connecting students, educators, and employers to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and other high-demand fields. As industries in Southern Maryland continue to evolve, the need for a well-prepared workforce is greater than ever. The SPARK fair serves as a bridge between education and industry, helping to cultivate the next generation of professionals.”
Participating Organizations:
▫ NAWCAD FabLab
▫ NAWCAD Air Systems Group
▫ NAWCAD Atlantic Targets and Marine Operations
▫ NAWCAD Advanced Technologies Dept.
▫ NAWCAD PIE/ART
▫ NAWCAD SEO
▫ NAWCAD Warfare Effectiveness Dept.
▫ NSWC Indian Head
▫ U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
▫ NAVAIR Business & Finance Operations Dept.
▫ Office of Naval Research- American Society of Naval Engineers
▫ Naval Systems Inc.
▫ Platform Aerospace
▫ Precise Systems
▫ Resource Management Concepts
▫ Render
▫ Avian
▫ ACE
▫ St. Mary’s County Dept. of Emergency Services
▫ St. Mary’s/Charles/Calvert Sheriff’s Offices
▫ St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles County Depts. of Economic Development
▫ USMSM Clark Engineering, Matrix Lab
▫ Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
▫ The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
▫ UMD UAS Research and Operations
▫ MD Environmental Services
▫ Calvert Health
▫ U.S. Bomb Technicians Association4th
▫ UM Charles Medical Center
▫ MedStar Hospital
▫ LEAP
▫ CSM: Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership
▫ St Mary’s College of Maryland
▫ SMECO
