Army Educational Outreach Program

Brief

Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Sciences (GEMS-Japan)

Young Engineers and Scientists (YES-Fort Detrick)

COL Nancy L. Vause, Ph.D.USA Medical Research & Materiel Command

Lanae Y. JohnsonU.S. Army, Fort Detrick, MD

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Program Background

Year the program was initiated: GEMS/YES 2006 GEMS-Japan 2007

Services Involved: GEMS/YES – Army GEMS-Japan – Army, Navy, AF & USJGSDF

Organizations Involved: •GEMS/YES - Fort Detrick, USAG, USAMRMC (e.g., HQ, USAMRIID, USACEHR, WRAIR). SAIC, Hood College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Frederick County Public Schools

•GEMS-Japan – USACHPPM-PAC, USAMRIID, WRAIR, USAG-J, USAR-J, DODEA Camp Zama, Atsugi Naval Health Clinic, SAMS Army Health Clinic, Dentac, Vetcom, Top 5 NCOs, Audi Murphy Club, MWR, Army Family Covenant, IMCOM Pacific. Sagamihara Community Center, Tomota Nishi High School English Club, Zama Officer Wives Club. Japan Engineer District, JFSDF, Tomadachi Assoc.

Originating office: GEMS/YES - Directorate, Community Support Programs (DCSP), USAG, USAMRMC

•GEMS-Japan – USACHPPM-PAC, USAMRMC (e.g., HQ, USAMRIID, WRAIR)

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Program DescriptionGEMS/YES Fort Detrick

• Fort Detrick’s Young Engineers and Scientists Program (YES) offers internships for middle school students in Hood College laboratories.

YES I (1st year interns (6th & 7th grade)

YES II (2nd year interns- 7th & 8th grade)

YES III - Assistant Near-Peer Mentor (3rd year interns FY09)

• USAMRMC-HQ initiative managed by USAG.

• Based on WRAIR’s GEMS program targets younger students for 1 wk internships to expand the intellectual pipeline.

• Supports the Surgeon General’s balance score card and strategic goal to “build the bench” with a competent and ready future work force.

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Program DescriptionGEMS Japan

• Camp Zama’s GEMS provides elementary and middle school American and Japanese students an internship opportunity in DoDEA high school laboratories.

GEMS- J I (1st year interns (4th - 6th grade)**

GEMS- J II (2nd year interns- 7th & 8th grade)

** FY 09 will include 3rd graders in GEMS- J I

• The GEMS-Japan is an USAMRMC expansion initiative managed by USACHPPM-PAC supporting bilateral projects.

• Consistent with the SG’s BSC and strategic goals.

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Points of Contact/Collaborations

• USAMRMC POCCOL Nancy Vause

301-619-8557, nancy.vause@us.army.mil

• USA USACHPPM-PAC POCJana York315-263-8504, janet.york@us.army.mil

• USAMRIID POCLTC Felecia Langel301-619-4811, felecia.langel@.uc.army.mil

• USAG POCEdward Nolan, Director Community Support Programs301-619-2858, edward.nolan@us.army.mil

• YES Program CoordinatorCarrie Michaels, YES Coordinator301-619-9658, carrie.michaels@us.army.mil Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

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Goals and Objectives

• Recruit and prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, health care professionals and support staff for DOD, communities and our Nations.

• Motivate all students to take more challenging science and math courses and return yearly for more sophisticated laboratory studies.

• Promote good will, collaboration, and better understanding among cultures, social groups, and local communities.

• Recruit future Near-Peer Mentors and research interns.

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Strategy

• Implement recommendations and actions of NAS 2005 report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm”.

• Import and tailor the WRAIR-GEMS Near-Peer Mentorship concept to local schools as summer STEM programs.

• Recruit accomplished high school and college level students as Near-Peer Mentors.

• Target younger students & develop “hands on” inquiry-based (IB) curriculum linking experiments to STEM careers and healthy eco friendly lifestyles.

• Host sessions in college or new high school laboratories.

• Engage DOD scientists to introduce unique military career opportunities and share knowledge and expertise with Near Peers, students and teachers.

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Program ProcessesGEMS/YES Fort Detrick

• Summer 09 registration opens 1 April 2009. Applications available @ http://www.detrick.army.mil/YES

• USAMRMC/USAG Contracts a YES Program Coordinator.

• YES advisory panel includes Fort Detrick, Frederick public and private schools, Hood and Mt. St. Mary’s College SMEs.

• Near-Peer applicants submit a resume and undergo a competitive selection interview. Each Near-Peer leads 1 group of 4 to 5 interns each week and receives a stipend.

• Each student intern completes an application including 2 essay questions. A teacher must also complete a recommendation form.

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Program ProcessesGEMS/YES Fort Detrick

• FY08 staff included: 9 Near-Peers; 1 student public relations specialist; 1 resource teacher; 1 science advisor; 1 Hood College intern

• The YES program is not at full capacity(180 students). Will implement a selection committee if needed.

• Logistic support provided by Fort Detrick.

• Students may attend 1 of the 6 one week summer sessions.

• Interns earn $50.00 upon successful completion of the program.

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Program Processes GEMS Japan

• Summer 09 registration opens 1 April 2009. Applications available @ http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/USACHPPM-PAC-pac/

• USACHPPM-PAC/USAG-J managed the GEMS-J program with a DAC Health Promotion Outreach Coordinator.

• GEMS contracts GEMS-J Science Coordinator & Resource Teacher.

• MEDDAC, MWR, DODEA, DENTAC, VETS & Japanese JAXA serve as SMEs.

• American and Japanese Near-Peer applicants submit a resume and undergo a competitive selection interview.

• Near-Peer bilateral teams lead 1 group of 6 to 8 interns per week. Only American Near peers receive a stipend. Japanese Near Peers receive academic credit.

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Program Processes GEMS Japan

• FY08 staff included: 10 Near-Peers 1 Near-Peer Leader1 resource teacher 1 science advisor1 Interpretor 1 NCOIC

• Near-Peers trained 3 wks prior to the 4 one week sessions. Near-Peers remained 1 wk following completion of the sessions to conduct statistical analysis.

• Logistic support provided by USACHPPM-PAC. Lab book translation support provided by USAR-J G8

• Students may attend 1 of 4 one week summer sessions. The GEMS program is not at full 240 intern capacity (60/wk). A selection committee will be implemented if needed.

• Interns are not paid.

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Promotional Materials

• Promotional items: brochure, t-shirts, buttons, lab coats, and flyers

• Web site• Fort Detrick http://www.detrick.army.mil/YES • Camp Zama

http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/USACHPPM-PAC-pac

• The Coordinator attends teacher in-service days to brief and hand out information on the program.

• Program Coordinator briefs Child Youth and School Services (CYSS), Camp Zama Newcomers, Community forums in Japan

• Near-Peer Mentors join Coordinators visiting schools to promote the program with experiment demonstrations.

• Jolene mannequin given to each school for year round testing of i-pod dangerous decibel levels (Japan).

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Impact of Program

• Fostered good community relations and collaborations between military and local middle and high schools and colleges.

• Reduced tensions between Atsugi Naval Air Station and surrounding Japanese communities.

• Sparked community interest in science, math, engineering and medicine with student advocates spreading their enthusiasm to family and friends.

• Improved school and academic opportunities for Army/military children whose academics often suffer due to multiple moves.

GEMS

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Impact of Program

• Parents and teachers reported an increased interest and confidence in science classes.

• Exposed parents, teachers, students & the community to the Army’s humanitarian and scientific opportunities and missions.

• Enhanced Army community and international relations.

• Legal Concerns: Purchasing with ear-marked funding; Students keeping lab coats; Purchase restrictions on promotional items; Army Family Covenant funding international student participation; Army liability for injuries; Student transportation; Student medication; Access to Army installations.

STUDENT

PARENT

TEACHER AEOP

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Student Benefits

• Challenged students to pursue more rigorous and competitive courses.

• Offered student opportunities to conduct new activities or research in state of the art college

level laboratories. • Provided college experience from mock-registration and book store activities to tours

of the campus and dorms. For many this is their first experience on a college campus (Fort Detrick) or military base (Japan).

• Exposed students to JAXA (Japanese NASA) astronauts and robotics (Camp Zama).

• Met and worked as a scientific team with other same age interns from different cultures, schools or classes.

• Forged new friendships and broaden their worlds.

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Student Benefits

Surveys indicated all students enjoyed the program AND graduated with an increased interest in STEM subjects.

This program for the first time introduces science positively for some students boosting confidence.

Programs introduce career options to students’ and mentors.

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Awards, Selection Process & Criteria

Fort Detrick student interns receive a certificate and a $50.00 stipend upon successful completion of the program.

Camp Zama interns select a Japanese and American recipient of the: Broken Beaker Award Ambassador Award Comedian Award

Camp Zama Near-Peers select an American and Japanese recipient for aGEMS-J Best Scientist Award

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Participating SchoolsGEMS/YES Fort Detrick

Maryland Public Schools Maryland Private SchoolsBallenger Creek Middle Friends Meeting SchoolCrestwood Middle Mother SetonMiddletown Middle New Life ChristianMonocacy Middle St. Johns RegionalOakdale Middle St. John the BaptistThurmont Middle Telos AcademyThomas Johnson Middle The Banner SchoolTuscarora Middle Visitation AcademyUrbana Middle Broadfording AcademyWalkersville MiddleWest Frederick Middle OtherLandsdowne Middle Coulwood Middle-North CarolinaRocky Hill Middle Waynesboro Middle-PennsylvaniaSykesville Middle Home schoolNorthern MiddleSmithsburg Middle

YES was first offered at West Frederick Middle School. West Frederick was selected as it has a significant population of children coming from “challenged” backgrounds. This past summer was the first summer to more broadly accept students from all Frederick County Public Schools, private schools, and children from surrounding counties and states whose parents work at Fort Detrick.

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Participating Schools GEMS Japan

Students

Camp Zama Middle SchoolCamp Zama Elementary SchoolYokohoma Middle SchoolYokohoma High SchoolTomota Nishi Middle SchoolLocal Private SchoolAtsugi Elementary School

GEMS was first offered to Camp Zama and Atsugi Elementary and Middle School students. Camp Zama was selected as it has a military children stationed overseas. This was the first time many local Japanese students and military students officially interacted.

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Constitutes

• Number of students involved annually (Ft Detrick/Camp Zama)

FY06 FY07 136/160 FY08 140/240 FY09 160 FY10 180

• Number of elementary and middle schools involved annually

FY06 FY07 10/2 FY08 27/3 FY09 30 FY10 35

Colleges/Universities Involved

Hood College Mount St. Mary’s University Tulane UniversityTowson UniversityUniversity of MarylandFlorida State UniversityIowa UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Wisconsin

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S & T Involvement

Army S&T organizations involved

• USAMRMC

• USACHPPM-PAC (& AMEDD Partners)

• JAXA (Japanese NASA)• USAG (Ft Detrick and Camp Zama)

• Directorate, Community Support Programs

• Directorate, Information Management (Summer 2009)

• USJSDF ENG BN

• 21st Signal Brigade (Summer 2009)

• Participating Laboratories

• United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID)

• United States Army Center for Environmental Health and Research (USACEHR)

• Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)

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Funding

• Total fundingFY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY1075K 80K $80K $85K $90K

50K $55K $60K $70KFDCZGEMS/YES FD Funding Sources

•USAMRMC•USAG•Hood College (Science labs and facilities at no charge)•Minimal parent/community contributions

GEMS-Japan CZ Funding Sources•USACHPPM-PAC•USAG-J•IMCOM Pacific Region•Army Family Covenant•DoDEA (Science labs and facilities at no charge)•CZ MWR

Camp Zama, Japan

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Success Stories

Frederick County News Post Article

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=77513

• Gazette

http://www.gazette.net/stories/071708/frednew172719_32355.shtml

• SAIC article

• Torri http://www.torii.army.mil/archives/archives/2007/aug/23/index.htm

• Stars and StripesGEMS of an idea Sessions at Zama sponsored by the Army aim

to interest students in math, sciences By Bryce S. Dubee, Stars and Stripes

Pacific edition, Wednesday, August 8, 2007

• USARJ This Week – PentagonChannel

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Recommendations

•Sponsor an Educational Outreach Best Practices Seminar/Workshop

•Propose GEMS/YES as a model for an IMCOM CYSS worldwide program. Jointly resourced for staffing, equipment, supplies, etc.

IMCOM Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) POCs

MG John A. MacDonald, 703-602-1751, ohn.macdonald4@us.army.mil M.A. Lucas, IMCOM, 703-681-5385, m.a.lucas@us.army.mil Van Chaney, IMCOM School Liaison 703-681-4850, charles.v.chaney@us.army.mil

•Expand GEMS/YES program to additional S&T communities (CONUS and OCONUS)

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Recommendations

•Develop Army commitment and policy for Army community involvement in direct support of local and DoDEA school systems targeting careers needed for the scientific future workforce.

(Our future mission accomplishment is our responsibility today. We must support not just for military children, but all children. Army leaders must recognize and get involved with development of our future workforce. This will improve educational opportunities for our military children and all children benefitting from proximity to Army installations; locations where needed impact can happen. This is in concert yet expanding current IMCOM Child and Youth philosophy.)

•Develop a standardized IRB protocol and conduct follow on studies to measure long term program effectiveness.

•Create opportunities for teacher summer sabbaticals for research projects Army S&T labs.

Additional Outreach EffortsFort Detrick/Japan

• Connections Beyond the Classroom– Focus on educators– “Connecting” Fort Detrick scientists, professionals and staff

with educators for business/classroom link

• Adopt-A-School– Fort Detrick personnel volunteering for 45 minutes on a weekly

basis in a classroom

• Project Lead the Way– In school/classroom business advisory to select STEM subject

areas

• College/University Outreach– On-post introduction to research: tours, internships,

mentoring, summer hires

Additional Outreach Efforts Fort Detrick/Japan

• Achievement Counts– 9th Grade classroom lectures on the importance of high school

study given by adult volunteers

• Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education– Founding member and Trustee of a local Business/Education

partnership to provide collaborative ideas, perspective and real-world experiences that increase opportunities for students and teachers to prepare the next generation of business leaders in our community.

• Book Chapter & Presentations– Vause, Nancy L. (2008). Children and Hearing,

Ergonomics for children...Designing products & places for toddlers to teens, Edited by Rani Lueder and Valerie Berg Rice, Taylor & Francis (London & N.Y.) IBN No. 0415304741, http://humanics-es.com/child-ergonomics.htm

– Pacific DoDEA Principals Conference 2008 – GEMS– Asia Pacific Military Medical Conference – Singapore 2008

• Building Tomorrow Medical Teams