The USAARL GEMS program engages rising 4th through 11th grade students in hands‐on, inquiry‐based experiments and nurtures students’ interest in STEM career fields. USAARL’s GEMS program aims to reach students who are from southeast Alabama.
About USAARL
Since 2011, the USAARL GEMS program has provided STEM education to over 1,000 students from Fort Rucker, Enterprise, Ozark, Daleville, Dothan, and other local communities. Each year the program has grown in both the modules offered and the number of students who complete the program.
Sessions
Planetary- Investigation of geology, oceanography, and meteorology (4th-5th graders).
Neuroscience– Investigate the anatomy, function, and development of the central system and the brain (6th-7th graders).
Biochemistry– Exploration of chemical processes and reactions occurring in living things and experimentation in chemistry and biology (8th-9th graders).
Agriscience- Examination of the application of science to agriculture and develop an understanding of human relations, communication, and the importance of agriculture to the economy (10th-11th graders).
Important Dates
November 14, 2025
Near-Peer Mentor and Teacher Applications Open
January 15, 2026
Near-Peer Mentor and Teacher Applications Close
January 15, 2026
Student Applications Open
March 14, 2026
Student Application Closes
June 8-12, 2026
GEMS Session 1
June 15-18, 2026*
GEMS Session 2 *GEMS will not meet on the Federal holiday, Friday, June 19, 2025.
June 22-26, 2026
GEMS Session 3
July 6-10, 2025
GEMS Session 4
More Information
Session 1, 3 and 4 are Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Session 2 is Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 3:30pm.
Student recommendation and application form coming soon.
Interested in This Program?
If you are interested in this program email us or call 1-334-255-6907 or 1-334-255-6920. We'd love to hear from you!