August 16, 2016

Three additional partners awarded grants to increase diverse student participation in STEM

 

Columbus, OH — August 15, 2016 — The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), in collaboration with Battelle, has awarded grants to three organizations and institutions to expand student participation in enriching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) exploration and learning, particularly for underserved students. AEOP offers students and teachers U.S. Army-sponsored programs that effectively engage, inspire and attract the next generation of STEM talent.

These second-round grant recipients will join a community of eight like-minded AEOP partner organizations awarded competitive grants in April 2016.

Through AEOP’s suite of programs, students from elementary school to college, representing all proficiency levels and ethnic, economic and academic backgrounds, participate in real-world experiences involving STEM disciplines. Scientists, technology experts, engineers and mathematicians, who act as mentors and guides, introduce students to the various opportunities in STEM fields through hands-on experiences and provide advice for technical skill development and career planning.

“We’ve seen firsthand the power of partnering with strong local communities to provide even more students with high-quality STEM learning and mentorship,” said Jeffrey Singleton, Director of Basic Research, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology or ASA(ALT). “By further expanding AEOP’s network, we are able to ensure students from all backgrounds, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented communities, have the opportunity to engage in programs proven to help students develop knowledge and skills that prepare them for real-world careers.”

AEOP’s new partners were selected specifically for their leadership in STEM learning and outreach to African-American, Hispanic, female and military-connected students. Together with these partners, the U.S. Army seeks to enhance existing programs to provide the highest quality experiences and contribute to an exceptionally prepared workforce.

“Hands-on learning and career exploration opportunities allow students to develop a sense of possibility for their own futures,” said Aimee Kennedy, Vice President, Education, STEM Learning, & Philanthropy at Battelle. “For many students, these experiences are breaking down stereotypes of what STEM careers look like and how to pursue them.”

The grantees will each receive $50,000 awards to facilitate meaningful collaboration that will ultimately integrate with or enhance the suite of opportunities already offered by AEOP. Second-round recipients include:

Johns Hopkins University: Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) and the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) (Baltimore, Md.): HEMI conducts experiments to improve protection materials for the U.S. Army, models brain injury associated with sporting competitions and studies planetary impact. CEO operates 11 STEM programs which engage over 2,200 middle and high school students annually from underserved communities, and will combine with Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). The partnership will also integrate REAP and Engineering Innovation into the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program and expand mentorship, competition and research opportunities for female and military-connected students.

Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU: The partnership will increase the number of underrepresented students participating in the Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (OJSHS) in March 2017, and beyond. NWO will recruit and train 30-60 underrepresented students and their teachers from Toledo Public, Lima City and Fostoria school districts with the purposes of engaging the students in scientific research and STEM studies.

Washington STEM (Seattle, Wash.): Washington STEM will leverage its ten-region STEM Network system to significantly expand and scale the AEOP eCYBERMISSION program across Washington for students and teachers.

About AEOP: The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) is comprised of U.S. Army-sponsored research, education, competitions, internships, and practical experiences designed to engage and guide students and teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From elementary school through graduate school, students at all levels, interests, ethnic, economic, and academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in hands-on programs in STEM disciplines. More information is available at: www.usaeop.com.

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