Summer Science at WRAIR

Courtesy Photo | Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science students participating in a laboratory experiment.  

UNITED STATES

10.07.2019

Courtesy Story

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Each summer, over 500 middle and high school students from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area participate in the hands-on science programs Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. GEMS aims to galvanize students’ interest in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields; promote diversity in STEM careers and curb the summer slide, defined by Scholastic(1) as the loss of significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break and a subsequent skill loss each year. WRAIR, now one of fourteen involved locations nationwide, was the home of the GEMS program 17 years ago.

Activities range from simulations and computer applications to laboratory experiments. All students gain experience in science, the scientific method, performing experiments and recording and synthesizing data to formulate their own conclusions. Students earn a $100 stipend as part for their weeklong participation in hands-on learning.

One unique aspect of GEMS is the involvement of near-peer mentors, young scientists and engineers who are currently pursuing or recently finished their degrees in STEM. NPMs serve as teachers and mentors to the students. The proximity in age between NPMs and GEMS students allows them to connect in ways that traditional teachers may not. Available for rising 7th to 12th grade, many students return year after year, making up 30-50% of GEMS participants each summer.

The GEMS program is one of a range of science education and professional development programs offered at WRAIR, including undergraduate and post-graduate (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) research fellowships, to help develop the next generation of American scientists.

If you or someone you know are interested, more information on all science education and professional development programs at WRAIR can be found at our website (available here: https://www.wrair.army.mil/science-education-and-professional-development); information about the GEMS program in particular can be found at the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program's website (available here: https://www.usaeop.com/program/silverspring/); the application process for the next class of GEMS will start sometime in mid-January 2020. More information about this summer’s activities can be found here: https://www.wrair.army.mil/node/238

(1) https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/summer-slide.html

• Date Taken: 10.07.2019
• Date Posted: 10.09.2019 11:00
• Story ID: 346266
• Location: US