‘STEM volunteer finds personal joy and leadership growth from volunteering’

Civic engagement and volunteerism are powerful ways to support local communities and gain valuable skills, connections, and personal fulfillment. At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), employees have the opportunity to volunteer in various programs, including supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in local schools. Currently, around 45 PSNS & IMF employees are actively serving as STEM volunteers.

One standout volunteer making a difference is Sybrina Nanez, a metrology quality assurance specialist at the Engineering and Assessment Division. Introduced to the STEM program at the shipyard, Nanez received training that equipped her to assist students in the classroom.

Nanez emphasizes the importance of positively impacting children’s lives and credits the supportive environment at the shipyard for enabling her volunteer work. With management’s encouragement, Nanez dedicates time during her workday to volunteering in classrooms, helping students gain confidence and skills in STEM subjects.

One memorable experience for Nanez was participating in GEMS: Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science at Olympics College, a program focused on inspiring middle school girls to explore STEM fields. Nanez recognizes the significance of providing girls with opportunities to engage in STEM and hopes to continue supporting such initiatives.

Encouraging others to get involved in STEM outreach, Nanez stresses the value of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and making a difference in a young person’s life. Those interested in learning more about STEM community service opportunities can contact psnsstem@us.navy.mil.

Through volunteering in STEM programs, individuals like Nanez are not only contributing to their communities but also inspiring the next generation of innovators and thinkers.