With support from the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command Headquarters (USAMRDC HQ) hosts the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program. The program invites elementary, middle, and high school students to work with college-age mentors in a professional laboratory environment. During six one-week sessions, students participate in a hands-on learning experience and gain exposure to the diversity of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and their associated careers.

The mission of GEMS is as follows:

• To increase interest, engagement, and performance in STEM for student participants
• To support undergraduates and recent graduates in a STEM education internship
• To bring experiential learning and mentorship to elementary, middle, and high school students from underrepresented populations in the Frederick and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

Additionally, USAMRDC HQ GEMS is seeking STEM undergraduates and high school students to participate in our 2021 summer program as "near-peer mentors" or "assistant near-peer mentors." Mentors will be placed in either the biomedical sciences program or the engineering and computer science program. Licensed teachers within the public school/state system that currently teach middle or high school students in STEM can apply to be a resource teacher. However, other professions are encouraged to apply as well, specifically those with coding or laboratory experience. The ideal candidate would have experience in a supervisory role. All internships provide a competitive monthly stipends commensurate with education and experience.

As a near-peer mentor, you will:

• Serve as a lab instructor, subject matter expert, role model for academic success, curriculum developer, and lab safety officer
• Teach and facilitate original STEM modules, which draw from topics in your area(s) of interest
• Collaborate with a team of fellow near-peer mentors to implement additional modules throughout the summer

As an assistant near-peer mentor, you will:

• Serve as aides to the resource teacher and to the near-peer mentors
• Function as a mentor, collaborator, and gain valuable skills in presentation, lesson-planning, and laboratory techniques
• Complete training prior to the start of the program; training sessions will teach mentors how to relate to students, present experiments, and practice the planned curriculum including laboratory preparation
• High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply for an assistant near-peer mentor internship position; position is a four-week internship

As a resource teacher, you will:

• Supervise near-peer mentors (college-aged individuals who teach the student interns), students, and the maintenance of the laboratory/classroom
• Provide guidance and training on all experimental activities
• Be present before, during, and after the duration of the program as necessary
• Assist with curriculum writing as needed

Required Skill Set

The ideal mentor is/has:

• Currently majoring in (and/or passionate about) a STEM field or education. STEM fields include, but are not limited to: biology, chemistry, mathematics, pre-med, nursing, computer science, engineering, biomedical fields
• Interested in teaching, mentoring, and communicating science to the community
• Previous experience as a teaching assistant, mentor, and/or volunteer is preferred
• Positive attitude, willingness to work in a fast-paced environment, and a sense of humor
• Flexible and able to work well within a team
• Confidence in robotics, block/python coding, or some biomedical techniques such as PCR, electrophoresis, and pipetting (preferred)

Requirements:

• All mentors must be available from July 24 — August 20 (eight weeks, including two training weeks) *Assistant near-peer internships are 4 weeks in length instead of eight weeks*
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must be able to complete military childcare background checks
• Must be able to arrange housing and/or transportation for the duration of the internship
• High school juniors and seniors interested in near-peer mentor internships must have experience in biomedical or coding to apply; those without extensive experience can apply to be assistant near-peer mentors

Preferred Areas of Study/Major(s)

STEM or Education

Internship Location

Hood College (Frederick, MD)

Details

Semester: Summer (June - August), Interns may choose from either four-week or eight-week offerings

Year: 2021

Hours per week: 40

Workdays: Monday — Friday

Pay: Yes, stipend based on education level and experience

Authorization Requirements: U.S. Citizen/U.S. National, Permanent U.S. Resident

Application Requirements

Application Deadline: 16 January 2021

Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter, References, Other (Transcript)

Application Instructions for Near-Peer Mentors

Register and apply online at https://cvent.me/BNBPoD and select "register now" (near-peer mentor applications open 30 October 2020 and close 16 January 2021).

• Select "Near-Peer Mentor" under the "Registration Type" drop-down menu
• Registration requires the following, in addition to basic personal information:

• Current resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Completion of brief essay questions
• Contact information for two (2) references (Note: staff will contact references within one-to-two weeks following confirmation of your application submission; we do NOT need a formal letter from references, but will instead request they complete a short questionnaire)

Application Instructions for Assistant Near-Peer Mentors and Resource Teachers

Register and apply online at https://cvent.me/NVdN3g and select "register now" (applications open 30 October 2020 and close 16 January 2021).

• Select "Assistant Near-Peer Mentor" or "Resource Teacher" under the "Registration Type" drop-down menu
• Registration requires the following, in addition to basic information about you:

• Current resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Completion of brief essay questions
• Contact information for two (2) references (Note: staff will contact references within one-to-two weeks following confirmation of your application submission; we do NOT need a formal letter from references, but will instead request they complete a short questionnaire)

Additional Information

The primary contacts listed below are available to discuss any inquiries regarding the application or to provide guidance during the application process:

Laura R. Beeson

We will begin reviewing application materials beginning December 2020. Applications will officially close 16 January 2021, and positions will be filled on a rolling basis.

Additional Information

To learn more about each opportunity please visit:

GEMS at USAMRDC HQ: https://www.usaeop.com/program/frederick/

AEOP: https://www.usaeop.com/

GEMS: https://www.usaeop.com/program/gems/

USAMRDC Educational Outreach: https://www.stem.health.mil