It Starts Here. The Army Outreach Educational Program (AEOP)

For over 50 years, the U.S. Army has supported a wide range of educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for America’s youth, college and graduate students, as well as teachers.  STEM talent is essential to delivering innovative solutions for the nation. Because of these efforts, the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) was formed to provide opportunities to spark inspiration, exploration and achievement in STEM literacy and career development.

The AEOP is composed of competitions, unique experiences, internships, and teacher resources from elementary school through graduate school; students of all proficiency levels, interests, social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-word STEM experiences involving these important disciplines while also engaging with Army-sponsored mentors.

AEOP offers the following programs and opportunities:

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) (4^th-8^th grade) – An inquiry-based engineering challenge through which students design, build and race model solar cars. Students develop teamwork and problem solving abilities, investigates environmental issues, gain hands-on engineering skills and use principles of science and math to get the most interesting and best crafted vehicle possible.

Mobile Discovery Center (4^th-9^th grade) ­- The National Science Center takes science on the road with its Mobile Discovery Center. Housed in 18-wheelers, the mobile centers travel across the country, presenting programs designed to show students that studying science and math is fun as well as essential to their future.

eCYBERMISSION (6^th-9^th grade) - A web-based competition for students that promote self-discovery and enables all students to recognize the real-life applications of STEM. Using either the scientific inquiry/method or the engineering design process, students form teams of three to four and propose a solution to a real problem in their communities and compete to state, regional and national awards.

Gains in the Education of Mathematics & Science (GEMS) (5^th-12 grade) – A summer STEM education program that provides students and teachers with hands-on learning experience in a professional laboratory environment working alongside high school and college mentors and senior Army scientists and engineers.

West Point Bridge Design Contest (6^th-12^th grade) – Provides a realistic, engaging introduction to engineering through an authentic, hands-on design experience. Students put their design abilities to the test in the qualifying round of the competition and top designers in the country compete for national recognition and awards.

UNITE (9^th-12^th grade) – Promotes college majors and careers in engineering by providing high school students historically underserved and underrepresented in STEM areas with the community to participate in a hands-on academic and enrichment summer program in engineering.

Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) (9^th-12^th grade)-Supports and recognizes high school students as they present their original research pursuits in the STEM, competing for scholarships and awards at both regional and national symposia. Students learn from their interactions with practicing researchers who provide enrichment opportunities at the symposia and discussions that allow participants to look beyond high school to future post-secondary education and career development in STEM.

Internships (High School & College)-Provides students with hands-on research experiences in both military and university laboratory settings. Students have the unique opportunity to be mentored and trained by senior Army, or Army-sponsored researchers while conducting real-world research.

Scholarships & Award Opportunities (Undergraduate & Graduate)-The Department of Defense offers many opportunities for students to continue their pursuit of STEM education beyond high school.

To learn more on how to can get involved, visit www.usaeop.com for more information. AEOP is also on social media via Facebook and Twitter which provides the latest updates and news.