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 underrepresented in STEM.

*NOTE: There will be no stipends for students who participate in GEMS virtually in summer 2023.

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, coding, and programming robots to maneuver and conquer different tasks

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

Important Dates

January 10, 2023
Student Application opens

March 14, 2023
Student Application closes

March 15, 2023
Student Waitlist opens

April 15, 2023
Student Waitlist closes

June 12-16, 2023
GEMS Session 1

June 20-23, 2023*
GEMS Session 2 *Federal holiday on Monday, June 19, 2023

June 26-June 30, 2023
GEMS Session 3

July 10-14, 2023
GEMS Session 4

More Information

Session 1, 3 and 4 are Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 3:30pm. 

Session 2 is Tuesday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm. 

Student recommendation and application form coming soon.

Information for Resource Teachers and Near-Peer Mentors

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

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

GEMS and Educators

GEMS relies on local teachers, high school 12th graders, and college students to work alongside U.S. 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 and Near-Peer Mentors receive a stipend based on experience and education level.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • If you have a teaching certificate or are pursuing a 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.

Resource Teacher Recommendation Form can be found here.

Near-Peer Mentor Application.

Near-Peer Mentor Recommendation form can be found here.

Important Dates

NOW OPEN
Resource Teacher and Near-Peer Mentor Application

December 15, 2022
Resource Teacher and Near-Peer Mentor Application closes

December 16, 2022
Resource Teacher and Near-Peer Mentor Waitlist opens

February 15, 2023
Resource Teacher and Near-Peer Mentor Waitlist closes

May 30 - July 17, 2023
GEMS Program for Resource Teachers and Near-Peer Mentors

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!

  • For Students
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