President Richard O’Hara and Vice President of Battelle Memorial Institute Dean Ertwine signed the Battelle Memorandum of Understanding on Dec. 10.

Through this agreement, STEM students have an opportunity to get internships and shadow jobs related to STEM. Students will also be able to use the Battelle facilities for different labs and experiments.

According to O’Hara, Battelle is a research and development company. Battelle’s mission includes “a strong charitable commitment to community development and education. That’s why we support staff volunteer efforts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs, and philanthropic projects in the communities we serve,” according to Battelle’s website.

The Battelle office is located in Aberdeen, Maryland.

According to Principal Madelyn Ball, Battelle is using the agreement to “endorse their business.” They are aware that 50 percent of JC graduates come back to Harford County. Because of this fact, JC students may come back and work for Battelle after they graduate if they enjoyed the Battelle experience while they were in high school.

Speakers from Battelle will also be brought in to talk to STEM students about subjects they are covering.

According to O’Hara, “their facility becomes an extended classroom.”

Caitlin Wolfarth is a News Editor for the Patriot and jcpatriot.com.