GEMS at Army Research Laboratory West (Playa Vista, CA) is a STEM enrichment program for students
This is a FREE one-week session for rising 6-8 grade students. No prior experience required! If you’re interested in learning more about how the Playa Vista Army Research Lab helps prepare Soldiers with the best training and equipment and the breadth of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and careers, then this program is for you! Students are encouraged to apply and will receive a $100 stipend to offset any meal and transportation costs.
You'll Get to
- Learn how virtual reality, human factors, emerging technology, engineering, and mathematics have applications in the real world
- Build working prototypes of digital circuits and gain confidence in your ability to participate in STEM activities
- Collaborate, solve problems as a member of a team, and practice your presentation skills
Resource Teachers
Teachers interested in participating in this program can apply to become a resource teacher. You will be asked to work collaboratively with ARL scientists and engineers to provide instruction, supervise, and engage students in age and grade-level appropriate, hands‐on lab experiments and activities, based on current ARL-West research initiatives. B.A required, experience in STEM or STEM education preferred.
Near-Peer Mentors
High-school- and college-aged students interested in participating in this program can apply to become Near-Peer Mentors. GEMS relies on Near-Peer Mentors to work alongside teachers and Army research scientists to provide inquiry-based, hands-on lab experiments and activities. GEMS Near-Peer Mentors receive a stipend based on experience and education level. Students must be at least 16 years old to apply.
About ARL West
Started in April 2016 as part of the ARL Open Campus Initiative, ARL West is the Southern California hub of the US Army Research Laboratory. The ARL West research focuses on Human and Information Interaction and GEMS students will be exposed to topics ranging from human-agent interaction, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality systems for training and soldier skills management. ARL West is co-located with the Army’s Institute for Creative Technologies, which is a University Affiliated Research Center at the University of Southern California (USC). Students will take-away concrete skills of how to do collaborative and multi-disciplinary work.
Important Dates
April 26
Application Closes
July 22-26
Session 1
July 29 - August 2
Session 2
Interested in this program?
If you are interested in this program email us or call 1-800-807-9852. We'd love to hear from you!