REACHING OUT
The programs these students and educators participate in are hosted in partnership with organizations like the National Science Teaching Association, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, universities and U.S. Army laborato- ries and centers. Te goal of the AEOP is to provide both students and teach- ers a collaborative, cohesive portfolio of Army-sponsored STEM programs that effectively engage, inspire and attract the next generation of STEM talent in kinder- garten through college programs and expose them to DOD STEM careers.
Another student, Jada Crockett, 17, from Fort Washington, Maryland, discovered her passion for medicine while learning about the laboratory researchers who focus on finding cures for untreatable diseases. During her Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS)—a summer STEM enrichment program for middle and high school students through participating Army research laboratories and centers—Crockett was exposed to a variety of careers she never knew existed, bolstering her interest in STEM.
EDUCATION IN ADVERSITY Tis year, the program, along with the rest of the world, faced an unexpected circumstance: COVID-19. In a matter of weeks, the program and its partners had to develop new ways to administer their plans safely and effectively. In the face of so much uncertainty, AEOP maintained its commitment to providing high-qual- ity STEM education to all participants. Trough hard work and dedication to their students, nearly all of AEOP was able
to offer programming in some capacity. In the cases of Junior Science and Humani- ties Symposium and eCYBERMISSION, the in-person national competitions were brought to life with video conferences, and students presented their research and projects to a panel of judges virtually. Tese presentations were live-streamed, so that people from around the world had the opportunity to tune in.
AEOP's programs cultivate interest in STEM and offer a pathway for STEM civilian talent
through enrichment,
competition, apprenticeships and expe- riential education, building an awareness of Army science and technology. Students of all proficiency levels, interests and social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-world STEM experiences while also engaging with Army-sponsored mentors. By prac- ticing alongside a researcher or having the opportunity to interact with STEM professionals, students are able to witness firsthand how the STEM concepts they learn in school become real research and careers.
Much of the strength of AEOP program- ming can be attributed to the team of teachers and volunteers who support it. Christine Girtain loves to introduce her students at Toms River High School in New Jersey to engaging experiences. Tat’s why she volunteers with the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), where students compete for scholarships and awards, presenting their original research to a panel of judges and an audi- ence of peers. At JSHS regional symposia,
Though AEOP looked different this year, the commitment to building and diversifying STEM education and careers remained a unifying theme.
104 Army AL&T Magazine Winter 2021
ECYBERMISSION ECYBERMISSION is a free, web- based STEM competition for students in grades six through nine that promotes self-discov- ery and enables all students to recognize the real-life applica- tions of STEM. Teams of three or four students are instructed to ask questions (for science) or define problems (for engineering), and then construct explanations (for science) or design solutions (for engineering) based on identi- fied problems in their community. Students compete for state, regional and national awards. The competition is run in partnership with the National Science Teach- ing Association (NSTA).
GEMS Gains in the Education of Math- ematics and Science (GEMS) is a summer STEM enrichment program for middle and high school students that takes place at participating Army research laboratories and centers. The program's mission is to inspire young people to pursue STEM careers.
It’s important, espe-
cially for those who may not have given serious thought to becom- ing scientists or engineers, that we reach them early enough so they can attain the right academic foundations to successfully continue their STEM studies in college. The Army-sponsored competition is run in partnership with NSTA.
JUNIOR SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES SYMPOSIA The Junior Science and Humani- ties Symposia (JSHS) is a STEM program sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force that promotes original research and experimentation in STEM at the
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