GEMSAlabama — Fort Rucker — USAARL
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The USAARL GEMS program engages rising 4th through 11th grade students in hands‐on, inquiry‐based experiments and nurtures students’ interest in STEM career fields. USAARL’s GEMS program aims to reach students who are from southeast Alabama.
Camps at this location
6901/6902 Farrel Road, Fort Rucker, AL 36362 ↗GEMS meets from 8:30am to 3:30pm each day it is in session. Students may complete one session of GEMS per summer.
How to Apply
Student applications are completed in the online platform Ideal-Logic. Applications for 2027 GEMS will open soon. Student applications are due March 14, 2027.
A completed application packet requires:
- the Ideal-Logic application, including two grade-appropriate essays written by the student, and
- one GEMS Student Recommendation Form, completed and submitted in Ideal-Logic by a teacher, a school administrator, a school counselor, a career counselor, an athletic coach, a troop leader, a previous employer, a professional mentor, etc. A GEMS Student Recommendation Form completed by a parent/guardian or relative is not acceptable.
Volunteer and work with us
Dates and Schedule
Applications due January 08, 2027Near-Peer Mentor and Teacher applications will be located here as they open. You must be available to work from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday on the dates below.
- Training: June 1-11, 2027
- Session 1: June 14-17, 2027 *Federal holiday observed on Friday, June 18, 2027
- Session 2: June 21-25, 2027
- Session 3: June 28-July 2, 2027
- Session 4: July 6-9, 2027 *Federal holiday observed on Monday, July 5, 2027
- Wrap-Up: July 12, 2027
About USAARL
Since 2011, the USAARL GEMS program has provided STEM education to over 2,200 students from Fort Rucker, Enterprise, Ozark, Daleville, Dothan, and other local communities. USAARL’s research scientists and medical professionals actively engage in GEMS by leading students through hands-on, laboratory-based STEM experiments and by talking to students about Army research and career opportunities.
Our Partners
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The USAARL GEMS program partners with Daleville City Schools and Enterprise City Schools to provide bus transportation to/from GEMS for students from each respective school system. The USAARL GEMS program also partners with organizations and businesses from across Fort Rucker and the local community to involve STEM professionals as guest speakers during GEMS. These organizations and business include but are not limited to the 906th Military Working Dog Detachment, Fort Rucker Fire Department, Fort Rucker Criminal Investigation Division, Lyster Army Health Clinic, Coffee County Extension Office, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Enterprise State Community College, CATI Training Systems, Medical Center Enterprise, and local news channels.
Still have questions?
If you are interested in the USAARL GEMS program at Fort Rucker, AL, reach out. We’d love to hear from you!
