STRIKEWERX supports Bossier STEM education with Air Force Scholars Program
Haughton High School Senior Charly McAnn and Bossier High School Junior Quinton Hodge sign their letters of intent to join STEM education programs supporting Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony at STRIKEWERX in the Cyber Innovation Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, May 12. McAnn will be an Air Force Research Laboratory Scholar while Hodge is the first STRIKEWERX STEM Scholar. (U.S. Air Force Photo courtesy of STRIKEWERX)
By Sean Green | Cyber Innovation Center Facilitation and Outreach Manager
BOSSIER CITY, La. — STRIKEWERX is supporting local high school students STEM education with summer programs that give them valuable experience working on projects for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
STRIKEWERX, AFGSC’s innovation hub in the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), is placing Haughton High School Senior Charly McAnn in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program.
The AFRL Scholars Program offers summer internships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students gain hands-on experience working alongside professional scientists and engineers on projects selected by the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist during a 10-12 week program.
“Being a part of the AFRL Scholar Program in the past has yielded great returns and we are excited to add more brain power with students from Bossier Parish high schools,” said Dr. Paul Hausgen, AFGSC interim chief scientist. “We are confident this is the first step in even more involvement that will further the development of new solutions for complex challenges.”
Cyber Innovation Center President Kevin Nolten addresses Haughton High School Senior Charly McAnn and Bossier High School Junior Quinton Hodge before they sign letters of intent to join STEM education programs supporting Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony at STRIKEWERX in the Cyber Innovation Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, May 12. (U.S. Air Force Photo courtesy of STRIKEWERX)
STRIKEWERX is also supporting Bossier High School Junior Quinton Hodge as the inaugural student in its STEM Scholars Program.
This new program will see accomplished STEM students from northwest Louisiana high schools lend their knowledge to AFGSC projects and gain valuable real-world experience. Hodge is the first student of the new program with three more cohorts planned for 2027.
“These scholars provide dedicated support that boosts the effectiveness and quality of research projects to advance Global Strike’s mission,” said Kevin Nolten, CIC president. “In turn, high schoolers get one-of-a-kind experience working hands on with real world national defense projects, opening new doors for their college and professional careers.”
STRIKEWERX has supported the AFRL Scholar Program with college students since 2022. McAnn is the second high school student to take part in the program for AFGSC.
"This is an unparalleled opportunity that Charly and Quinton have been chosen for, and we are elated they will be participating in this inaugural internship in support of our partners at Barksdale Air Force Base and AFGSC,” said Jason Rowland, Bossier Schools superintendent. “We are strongly committed at Bossier Schools to offer students every educational experience within our reach and prepare them for the highly skilled STEM workforce needed in our community and nation to remain at the forefront of global affairs."
For more information, visit the AFRL website.