(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center (AMRDEC) on Redstone Arsenal is offering a ‘gem’ of a summer program.

Students in eighth through twelfth grades across Madison County can take advantage of the center’s 2013 Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program.

With the GEMS opportunity, students can gain experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) exercises in real-world Army laboratory settings, Gayla Turner McMichael stated in a center press release. McMichael is program manager of the center’s STEM Education and Outreach efforts.

GEMS is is affiliated with Army Educational Outreach.

“The GEMS program is based on a multidisciplinary educational curriculum and is focused on age- and grade-appropriate, hands-on activities in areas such as science, engineering, mathematics, computational science, physics, optics, robotics, chemistry and others,” McMichael said.

Three levels of GEMS study are available. Program dates for GEMS-1 are June 10-14 and June 17-21. The GEMS-2 class meets June 24-28. Dates for GEMS-3 are July 8-12.

“GEMS-3 participation is by invitation only to students who have completed GEMS-1 and GEMS-2,” McMichael said. “Students receive a stipend to participate at various amounts in this one-week program. This year’s stipend amounts are anticipated to be issued as follows: GEMS I, $100.00; GEMS II, $120; and GEMS III, $140.”

A student who enrolls in GEMS must be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number. Application is open through March 30.

AMRDEC requires an essay for both GEMS-1 and GEMS 2. Applicants must include the essay with their GEMS applications for Redstone Arsenal. The essay’s length can be 500 words maximum.

The essay must “describe why you would like to participate in GEMS,” McMichael said. “Keep in mind that proper grammar and spelling is important.”

For more information, email to AMRDEC-Outreach@amrdec.army.mil.