ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) today joined the consortium of the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) Cooperative Agreement (COA), led by Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle). As part of the consortium, NSTA will continue to promote student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by administering eCYBERMISSION—a web-based competition free to students in grades 6-9— in addition to administering two additional AEOP STEM initiatives: Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) and Camp Invention. GEMS is a summer STEM enrichment program for students in grades 5-12 that takes place in participating Army Research Laboratories across the country. Camp Invention is a summer STEM enrichment experience for students in grades K-5 nationwide featuring collaborative learning opportunities led and administered by local teachers.
“Students and teachers love these innovative programs—eCYBERMISSION, Camp Invention, and GEMS—because they are engaging and excite students about science and technology, teach them how to work collaboratively, how to problem solve and to think like an engineer and scientist,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA executive director. “Most importantly, they introduce students to the STEM fields and the promising STEM careers that await them. NSTA is honored to be part of this collaboration with the U.S. Army, Battelle, and the other consortium partners to advance STEM education both inside and outside the classroom.”
“The U.S. Army is committed to providing students with innovative STEM programs that incorporate useful resources and connects students with world-class DoD scientists and engineers,” said Louie R. Lopez, AEOP COA Manager. “We’re excited to see how students will utilize the STEM principles taught in the classroom and Army laboratories as well as the resources provided within the programs to develop real-world applications in science and technology.”
The eCYBERMISSION competition, GEMS, and Camp Invention are part of AEOP. The AEOP is comprised of Army-sponsored research, education competitions, internships and practical experiences designed to engage and guide students and teachers in STEM education.
Led by Battelle, the AEOP consortium is made up of nine organizations, including NSTA, representing all individual programs and consortium-wide efforts. The idea of the consortium is to exceed the individual work of existing programs by joining forces. The AEOP COA will focus on broadening the pool of STEM talent, support and empower educators with unique Army research and technology resources, and implement a sustainable STEM education outreach infrastructure.
The GEMS program is based on a multi-disciplinary educational curriculum, and is focused on age and grade-appropriate hands-on activities, in areas such as science, engineering, mathematics, computational sciences, computational biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry and biology. All students who are selected and successfully participate in GEMS qualify for an educational stipend. Camp Invention is science-based, age appropriate and developed by the non-profit group Invent Now. It features fun, hands-on activities using problem-based learning. Each day, students rotate between four thematic modules that build upon what was learned the previous day.
Registration for the 2015-2016 eCYBERMISSION competition is now open and registration for GEMS and Camp Invention opens in January 2016. To participate, students must be U.S. citizens enrolled at any U.S.-based public, private or home school, or Department of Defense Education Activity or Department of State schools.
To learn more about eCYBERMISSION, GEMS, and Camp Invention, visit www.usaeop.com.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About AEOP
AEOP is comprised of Army-sponsored research, education, competitions, internships and practical experiences designed to engage and guide students as well as teachers in STEM. From elementary school through graduate school, students of all proficiency levels, interests, ethnic, economic and academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-world experiences involving these important disciplines. The Army is committed to increasing the STEM talent pool in order to ensure our national security and global competitiveness. For more information on AEOP, visit www.usaeop.com.
About RDECOM
RDECOM is the U.S. Army's primary source of integrated research, development and engineering capabilities that empower, unburden and protect the American Soldier to enable the dominance of the U.S. Army. RDECOM provides the full spectrum of basic research, development, engineering and analysis of Soldier systems, from concept to capability. RDECOM is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., with laboratories and research and development centers throughout the country and representatives throughout the world. For more information on RDECOM, visit www.army.mil/rdecom.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.
