The GEMS programs at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico are a joint/collaborative effort between the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)/Data and Analysis Center (D&AC) and the U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command (ATEC). 

Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)/Data and Analysis Center’s (D&AC) mission is to ensure that U.S. military personnel and equipment survive and function effectively in hostile circumstances. ATEC’s mission is to provide the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Defense, and other customers with high-quality resources and services for experimentation, test, research, assessment, development, and training in support of the Nation at war. DEVCOM, D&AC & ATEC both employ many engineers, scientists, physicists and military personnel to accomplish their missions.  These same employees coordinate and conduct our GEMS programs.

Our U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Armaments Center (CCDC-AC) GEMS program at the Picatinny Arsenal is based on joint, multi-disciplinary collaborations between STEM educators and our engineers and scientists.

ARDEC GEMS is uniquely focused on forming the type of hands-on, real-world activities; that are relevant to the state-of-the-art armaments work our labs strive to develop, design and produce for the warfighter.  Since 2017, our program strives to offer STEM areas such as: physics and chemistry, applied science, engineering & technology, mathematics, and computer science; focused along select competencies unique to our armaments science and technologies.

ARDEC GEMS 2018 advances and sustains our program, fostering STEM-based scientific and engineering fields, within the context of our ARDEC subject matter competencies, where enabling technologies and state-of-the-art facilities are applied and demonstrated, through real world problem-solving and activity-based projects, lessons and experiments.

• The Physics of Guidance and Trajectory
• Material Design of Armaments
• Aeroballistics & Motion Dynamics
• Strength of Materials
• Chemistry of ArmamentsDesign of Experiments – Game Theory & Statistics
• The Mechanics of Robotics and Autonomy
• Programming…Building an App for That
• Computer Science and Cybertechnologies
• Demil Technologies in Environmental Science
• Non-Destructive Tools of the Trade & Analysis
• Optics & Photonics Explained
• Polymers and Ceramics in 3D Applications

*NOTE: There will be no stipends for students who participate in GEMS virtually in summer 2021. 

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) and Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) is designed for rising 5^th to 9^th graders of all academic abilities.

The program offers three different curricula: GEMS I (rising 5^th-7^th graders), GEMS II (rising 6^th-8^th graders), and GEMS III (rising 7^th-9^th graders). The GEMS program is open to the public. In GEMS, students will learn about neuroscience, biochemistry, biomechanics, and physics. Sample classes include making bottle rockets and understanding physics, conducting fun physical training to understand biomechanics, and isolating DNA.

GEMS I: Rising Grades 5-7

GEMS II: Rising Grades 6-8

GEMS III: Rising Grades 7-9

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Summer Program at the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command U.S. Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) in Adelphi, MD, provides rising 5^th – 12^th grade students the opportunity to interact with scientists and engineers to explore essential research areas related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers.  If you enjoy hands-on activities and want to learn more about STEM topics and careers, apply to GEMS-Adelphi!

About DEVCOM ARL – Adelphi

Research at the Adelphi Laboratory Center focuses on many technological areas to include:  Electronics, Biotechnology, Photoelectric Chemistry, Computer Science, Renewable/Reusable Energy, and Robotics. GEMS participants will be engaged in hands-on activities, work in collaborative groups and interact with scientists and engineers to explore STEM subjects and careers.

About WRAIR

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program at Fort Detrick brings local students to the cutting-edge world of science at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). The program is designed for current 4^th through 11^th grade students of all academic abilities in the 2024-2025 school calendar. GEMS promises an engaging and exciting hands-on experience.

Students accepted into the program will work with young aspiring scientists and engineers, called Near-Peer Mentors, to complete various engineering challenges and hands on laboratory experiments, which are designed to further students’ understanding of STEM concepts. While at GEMS, students also learn about STEM careers that are available to them and pathways that they can take to achieve their desired future aspirations. Students navigate a curriculum intended for learning, interaction, and enjoyment, designed by local Fort Detrick education specialists and researchers.

GEMS is free to all applicants. Students will receive a $125 stipend upon graduation to help offset the cost of transportation and food that is not provided by the program. Stipends are not awarded to those who do not meet the definition of participation as explained by our Terms and Conditions.

If you would like more information about the GEMS Program, send us an email.