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GEMS’ mission is to interest young people, who might not otherwise give serious thought to becoming scientists or engineers, in STEM careers early enough that they have the time to attain the appropriate academic training. The program is based on a multi-disciplinary educational curriculum, and is focused on age and grade-appropriate hands-on activities, in areas such as science, engineering, mathematics, computational sciences, computational biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry and biology.
You'll Get To...
- work with other students your age to explore STEM topics that are related to current, cutting-edge U.S. Army research
- work beside college students that are pursuing STEM careers
- learn about STEM in a hands-on, lab-based environment – no textbooks
- there’s no fee to participate, and we issue a small stipend to cover some of your costs
- meet students, teachers, scientists and engineers who live and work near you
More Information
All students who are selected and successfully participate in a GEMS in-person camp qualify for an educational stipend ($125 per week) to offset any cost to the student or family to participate (travel and food). Note: This does not apply to the virtual camp.
Program Locations
GEMS Virtual Summer Camp: Open to 6th-8th graders nationwide
- GEMS camps on Planetary (4th-5th grade)
- Neuroscience (6th-7th grade)
- Biochemistry (8th-9th grade)
- Agriscience (10th-11th grade)
Florida (Orlando): GEMS Central Florida camps for Students (rising 6-7th), Advanced (rising 7th-8th), and Leadership (rising 9th-10th), focus on Modeling, Simulation, and Training (MS&T)
Illinois (Champaign): GEMS I (Rising 9-13) and GEMS II (Rising 6-8) hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Constructions Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL)
Massachusetts (Natick): GEMS I, GEMS II, and GEMS III at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) and Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC)
Maryland:
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR): Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced GEMS Camps, Silver Spring
- Defense Health Agency-Public Health (DHA PH) Bug Camp: World of Insects and Entomology, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Mississippi (Vicksburg): Multiple programs for rising 7th-12th grade at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Academy of Innovation, and River City Early College
New Hampshire (Hanover): Explore Weather, Climate, and the Environment at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
New Mexico (White Sands Missile Range):
- GEMS Middle School Program: STEM program for rising 6th-8th graders, in partnership with U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command (ATEC)
- GEMS High School Program: STEM program for rising 9th-12th graders, in partnership with Transformation Decision Analysis Center (TDAC)
North Carolina (Durham): GEMS I for rising 6th-8th grade, microbiology, potential/kinetic energy, chemical/physical reactions and more, hosted by DEVCOM ARL
Texas (San Antonio): GEMS Beginner, Intermediate, and Advances courses for rising 6th-12th graders
The following programs have been cancelled for 2026. Check back in 2027!
- Alabama (Huntsville)
- California (Los Alamitos)
- Maryland (Adelphi)
- Maryland (Frederick, Fort Detrick)
- Texas (Austin)
- Texas (University of Texas, San Antonio US Army Research Laboratory)
Important Dates
March – April 2026
Student application deadline
April – May 2026
Applications reviewed & participants selected
May 2026
Selected students notified
June – August 2026
Students participate in GEMS program (length and dates vary by location)
November - December 2026
Near Peer Mentor (NPM) and Teacher (T) applications open
Eligibility
- Rising 5th through 12th graders are eligible.
- Participants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent legal residents.
Information for Near-Peer Mentors
GEMS is looking for NEAR-PEER MENTORS. Spend your summer mentoring the next generation of innovators!
GEMS relies on local college and high school students to work alongside teachers and U.S. Army research scientists to provide inquiry-based, hands-on lab experiments and activities. This is not just a summer work opportunity but a way to give back to your local community.
GEMS Near-Peer Mentors receive a stipend based on experience and education level.
You should apply if:
- You are 16 years of age or older,
- You want to mentor other students with hands-on experiments in U.S. Army Research Centers & Labs,
- And you have the desire to share your passion for STEM with other students!
Interested in This Program?
If you are interested in this program email us. We'd love to hear from you!
FEATURED STUDENT
Gabriel Acuff
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS)
Read The Story
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