Find your AEOP Pathway
Camp Invention®
A confidence-boosting STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions and lasting friendships.
- Summer program
- Rising grades K-6
- FREE with AEOP scholarships
- Locations across the country
Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)
A competition where students design, build and race solar-powered cars using hands-on engineering skills and principles of science and math.
- School year competition
- Grades 5-8
- FREE of cost
- Locations across the country
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS)
A summer STEM enrichment program where students experience real-world, hands-on STEM activities at select U.S. Army Research Labs. GEMS also recruits Teachers and Near-Peer Mentors (college students) who receive a stipend for their assistance.
- Summer program
- Rising grades 5-12
- FREE of cost
- Locations across the country
eCYBERMISSION
A virtual STEM competition where students, in teams of 2-4, choose a problem in their community to investigate with science or solve with engineering, competing for Savings Bond prizes.
- School year competition
- Grades 6-9
- FREE of cost
- Virtual program; open to all 50 states, U.S. territories and DoDEA schools worldwide
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
A DoD-sponsored STEM competition where students submit original research to their regional symposium and compete individually to win scholarships and a chance to advance and compete at the National JSHS.
- School year competition
- Grades 9-12
- FREE of cost
- All 50 states, U.S. territories and DoDEA schools in Europe and the Pacific
Unite
A summer STEM enrichment program held on university campuses where students will learn about STEM careers, collaborate and solve problems as a team, and participate in STEM-related, hands-on and project-based activities.
- Summer program
- Rising grades 9-12
- FREE of cost
- Locations across the country
AEOP Apprenticeships
A paid, hands-on research opportunity with real-world STEM experiences alongside renowned scientists and engineers in labs throughout the country.
- Summer and year-round opportunities
- High school and undergraduate students
- Stipended opportunity
- Locations across the country
AEOP Fellowships
A paid, professional research opportunity at U.S. Army Research Labs and Centers.
- Year-round opportunities
- Graduate students, PhD candidates, recent master’s graduate, or postdoctoral students
- Locations across the country
Explore Program Types
STEM Enrichment Activities
STEM Enrichment activities spark student interest in STEM from the earliest grades through high school. They also provide experiential learning opportunities for educators. Our programs are great for students and teachers from all backgrounds and interests, and are designed to complement classroom learning and teaching by providing exciting, engaging, hands-on experiences. EXPLORE
Competitions
STEM Competitions are designed to expose students to scientific research methods and engineering principles in an interactive, hands-on way, and enables them to compete for recognition, scholarships and awards. EXPLORE
Apprenticeships & Fellowships
AEOP Apprenticeships and Fellowships help you gain the skills and experience you need today to prepare for the STEM careers of tomorrow. As an apprentice or fellow, you will conduct cutting-edge research in a state-of-the-art facility alongside a professional STEM mentor. EXPLORE
Scholarships & Grants
The Department of Defense provides a variety of opportunities that enable students to pursue STEM education through fellowships, grants and tuition-for-service programs. EXPLORE
23,483
Youth participants in 2020
5,066
Adult participants in 2020
90%
Of participants agreed that AEOP contributed to their STEM confidence and interest
Meet Our Students
AEOP alumni are doing amazing things. Hear what our alumni learned and what they’re up to now.
Harrish Ganesh
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS)
Grade: 10th Grade
Obioma Chukwu
Research Experiences for Stem Educators and Teaches, Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), eCybermission
Nicole Schnabel
Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP)
Grade: Undergraduate Student
Are you an AEOP alumni?
Latest Blog Posts
December 5, 2023
Fostering Curiosity through AEOP’s Apprenticeships
We had the opportunity to speak with Katrina Bucci, a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), whose passion for biological sciences led her to a remarkable experience with AEOP’s Apprenticeships program.
November 7, 2023
Rising through Research: Jasmyn Hoeger’s Genetic Journey through AEOP
Meet Jasmyn Hoeger, a sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, pursuing a pre-PhD track in Biology with a focus on genetics research.
November 6, 2023
Bridging the Gap: Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators through eCYBERMISSION
Hema Manivannan, a dedicated systems engineer at the Department of the Army, is crafting more than just policies — she’s building the future of STEM.
October 30, 2023
From Band World to STEM: A Musical Educator’s Journey to Inspire Future Innovators
Nicole Collins, a former K-12 band director and music technology educator, is now leading the charge at AEOP’s Unite summer program in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In the summer of 2023, she took the reins to help develop an intriguing four week forensic sciences and criminology program for students.
October 25, 2023
AEOP’s Rising Star: Prarthana’s Journey and Her Award-Winning Achievements
Prarthana, a Chicago native, is a driven young scientist who has a profound love for learning, a passion for making a positive impact on her community, and a clear vision for her future. Prarthana, currently a senior at the University of Illinois, is majoring in mathematics and computer science.
October 19, 2023
In the Lab with Keidy Matos: A Mentor’s Perspective on AEOP’s Apprenticeships
Meet Keidy Matos, a dedicated Ph.D. student studying chemistry at the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) in Manhattan, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). While Keidy is deeply immersed in her academic pursuits, she also plays a crucial role in AEOP’s Apprenticeships program, where she mentors high school students.