U.S. Army rolls onto Mississippi Gulf Coast with high-tech STEM trailer
GAUTIER, Miss. (WXXV) — The U.S. Army is making a unique kind of landing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast—by trailer.
Packed with cutting-edge technology and interactive experiences, the Army’s mobile STEM trailer rolled into Gautier High School this week as part of a national mission to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among young minds.
A Mobile Innovation Lab on Wheels
The trailer, one of several Science and Innovation (S.I.) trailers that travel across the country, offers students a hands-on look at the Army’s latest tech and research. It’s not your typical recruitment vehicle—this one is more science lab than Humvee.
“We are in the initial room of one of our S.I. trailers,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Markow, who led a tour through the mobile unit. “They’re national assets that go around the country and help us promote the Army, show communities what we’re working toward. Over here, we have our medical innovations—things like telemedicine, tissue regeneration, and treating infections.”
From the Lab to the Field
As students move through the trailer, they engage with exhibits that showcase everything from drone technology to advanced communication systems. They eventually arrive at a briefing room, where a short video sets the stage for the mission ahead.
Then, it’s time to test their knowledge. In a mission-style simulation game, students are challenged to match chemicals, align frequencies, and construct virtual bridges—bringing math, chemistry, and problem-solving to life.
“For math, they’ll work with angles and magnitudes,” Markow said. “And at the end, the top scorers win prizes—anything from a drawstring bag to a Bluetooth speaker.”
Real-World Learning, Real-Time Impact
Carlos Rodriguez, a senior at Gautier High School, was especially impressed with the level of interactivity.
“For the mini-games, one involved calculating the trajectory of a drone mission,” Rodriguez said. “Another one was more chemistry-focused—we had to neutralize a hostile agent. That one was probably my favorite.”
Outside the trailer, Army recruiters were on hand to answer questions and connect students’ interests to real-world careers in both military and civilian fields.
Building Tomorrow’s Innovators
“Programs like this are beneficial because the Army, like the world, is constantly evolving,” Markow said. “We’re not going to reach the next big innovation without the help of the next generation.”
As students filed out of the trailer, some buzzing with excitement, it was clear the mission was a success. For those interested in STEM, the Army hopes this is just the beginning of a journey—one that might start in a high school parking lot and lead to the forefront of tomorrow’s technology.
