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 and who are historically underserved or underrepresented in STEM.

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

Simple Machines — exploration of basic engineering techniques to build, test, and evaluate simple machines

Forensics — investigation of problem solving, engineering, physics/force of motion, and forensics techniques

Robotics — building and programming robots to maneuver and conquer different tasks using LEGO and VEX engineering, design, and programming

Medical — investigation of the physiology of various human organ systems, and exploration of various healthcare professions

Near-Peer Mentors

Are you a STEM or Education Major interested in gaining leadership and hands on laboratory experience? Looking for a summer internship opportunity that allows you to work alongside Army Research Scientists and make amazing career connections while giving back to your community?

Becoming a Near-Peer Mentor for the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program is a great way to gain skills while inspiring the next generation to become scientists, engineers, doctors, and leaders.

Benefits

  • Competitive Stipend
  • Hands on experience in life sciences, forensic science, computer science, and engineering
  • Local or virtual internships available
  • Expand your professional network within the Department of Defense
  • Mentor and Teach America’s Future
  • 4 or 8 week internships available
  • Work in teams with other college students from across the Nation

Additional Details

  • High School Juniors or Seniors may apply with leadership and hands-on biomedical or coding experience.
  • Near Peer Mentors will receive training and collaborate with the primary instructors. During the day camp, Near Peer Mentors will interact with middle and high school participants full time by assisting and/or leading experiments/challenges to include: laboratory experiments, coding (block and Python), engineering, and robotics.
  • Near Peers are selected to teach a specific class.

Apply TODAY! Applications are open till December 18th, 2020.

Important Dates

December 18, 2020
Near-Peer Mentor Applications Closes

Coming soon
Application Timeline

More Information

Sessions are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 3:30.

Recommendation and essay forms can be found at https://www.usaarl.army.mil/stem

Information for Resource Teachers

Take your teaching out of the classroom and into the lab!

GEMS is looking for RESOURCE TEACHERS. Spend your summer introducing the excitement of STEM to a new generation of innovators.

GEMS and Educators

GEMS relies on local teachers to work alongside Army research scientists to provide inquiry-based, hands-on lab experiments and activities. The goal is to interest young people in STEM careers early enough that they have the time to prepare for their academic futures.

GEMS Resource Teachers receive a stipend based on experience and education level.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • If you have a teaching certificate or degree in a STEM subject,
  • If you want to introduce students to hands-on experiments and learning,
  • And if you have the desire to guide students typically underrepresented in STEM, this program is for you!

Apply Now

Resource Teacher Application

Important Dates

December 18, 2020
Resource Teacher Applications close

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!

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