Exploring AEOP High School Internship Programs: A Pathway to STEM Careers
For high school students with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and particularly those considering a future with the Army or the Department of Defense (DoD), the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) offers valuable opportunities. These programs are designed to cultivate the next generation of STEM professionals and provide them with real-world research experience. It’s never too early to pursue opportunities to set you up for long-term success.
AEOP: A Commitment to STEM Education
Through AEOP, the Army continues its long tradition and strong commitment to the advancement of STEM education and literacy. STEM Enrichment activities spark student interest from the earliest grades through high school while providing experiential learning opportunities for educators. The AEOP’s Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) promotes original research and experimentation in STEM.
High School Internship Programs: Objectives and Benefits
AEOP High School Internships aim to spark interest, enrich, and support high school students in their pursuit of education and careers in STEM. These internships are crafted to align with AEOP priorities, focusing on several key objectives:
- Increase STEM Competencies: Participants gain knowledge of STEM topics and how scientists and engineers work on real-world problems.
- Grow Awareness of Research Processes: Interns learn about research processes, ethics, and rules for conduct in STEM.
- Increase Understanding of Everyday Research: The program helps interns understand what everyday research is like in STEM.
- Increase Awareness of Army and DoD STEM Research and Careers: Interns discuss the breadth and importance of Army and DoD STEM research (it advances science and engineering fields, it develops new cutting-edge technologies) and the value this research has to society.
- Impact Through Mentorship: A mentorship model and mentorship strategies impact development in STEM including supervising the practice of STEM research skills; providing constructive feedback to improve their STEM competencies; and encouraging collaborative learning (team meetings, journal club, etc.).
- Community Impact: Help interns understand how STEM can improve their own community and the role it plays in their everyday lives. Encourage interns to exchange ideas.
By participating in AEOP internships, students can advance their education and career by joining a team making scientific discoveries and inventing the technologies that support America’s innovation goals.
Types of AEOP Opportunities
AEOP offers a variety of programs to engage students and educators at different levels:
Read also: Learn about the AEOP Internship
- AEOP High School Internships: These internships provide high school students with the opportunity to conduct real-world, Army-sponsored research alongside scientists and engineers in world-class facilities.
- Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS): JSHS promotes original research and experimentation in STEM for high school students.
- Research Experiences for STEM Educators and Teachers (RESET): RESET provides educators with summer research experience at participating Army Laboratories. Selected teachers will participate in on-line learning as a cohort, with a subset of the cohort selected to conduct research on-site with a mentor Army scientist or engineer.
AEOP Apprentices and Fellows
AEOP apprentices (high school, undergraduate) and AEOP fellows (graduate, post-doctoral) conduct real-world, Army-sponsored research alongside scientists and engineers in world-class facilities. These experiences provide invaluable hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities.
The Center for STEM Education's AEOP High School Internship STEM Research Program
The Center for STEM Education will host its AEOP High School Internship STEM Research Program Summer 2025. High school rising juniors and rising seniors will have the opportunity to be paired with a faculty mentor for an intensive summer six to eight week STEM research experience.
Selected students must register to participate in the 2026 Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) held at UNC Charlotte specific date to be determined (typically last weekend of February, 2026). All selected students are expected to be on campus from 8:30 to 4 pm daily, June 16, 2025 - July 25, 2025, excluding June 19 & July 4, 2025. Student are expected to complete between 220 to 300 hours of STEM research work for the AEOP internship. Students finalists are officially notified by The Army Education Outreach Program.
Other DoD STEM Initiatives
The Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative is a tri-service Department of Defense Program, part of the University Research Initiative. The MURI program supports university teams whose research efforts link several traditional science and engineering disciplines. Multidisciplinary team efforts can accelerate research progress in areas particularly suited to the cross-fertilization of ideas by supporting team efforts across multiple universities.
Real-World Impact and Career Paths
Being able to help people in a role with a global impact is what drew Emily Nack to a passion for working as a civilian to support the Department of Defense. Designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions with opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while getting paid for work performed.
Read also: Job Skills for Students
Speaker Series and Opportunities
The AEOP also offers speaker series featuring professionals in STEM fields, providing insights into their career paths and research.
Read also: Exploring Programs at Northeast High
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