The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Program strives to excite and educate students in STEM careers to meet the long-term national defense needs of the Nation. The GEMS program represents an investment by USAMRMC toward insuring a future quality workforce and is based on a multidisciplinary educational curriculum that is focused on age- and grade-appropriate hands-on activities in areas such as science, engineering, robotics, mathematics, computational sciences, microbiology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, and biology.

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) Fort Detrick GEMS program is currently accepting applications for assistant near-peer and near-peer mentors. Both internships will include a training session prior to the start of the program and the choice of interning at Hood College in Frederick, MD, or Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, MD.

A near-peer mentor is responsible for guiding middle school and high school student interns through science and engineering experiments. College students are eligible to apply for a near-peer mentor internship position that lasts from June 10 - August 16, 2013.

An assistant near-peer mentor will function as a mentor and collaborator, and will gain valuable skills in presentation, lesson-planning, networking and laboratory techniques. Current Juniors and Seniors in high school are eligible to apply for an assistant near-peer internship position. Assistant near-peer internships are for one-week only and will also include a training session.

To obtain an application packet to serve as a near-peer or assistant near-peer mentor, or if you have questions regarding the USAMRIID GEMS program, please contact usamrmceducationaloutreach@amedd.army.mil.