Tell Us about Yourself
I am a senior in high school and am in the process of completing college applications. I also regularly practice fencing.
What AEOP program(s) did you participate in?
Gains in the Educations of Mathematics and Science (GEMS)
Words of Advice?
If you aren’t sure about whether or not you want to major in STEM, an AEOP program is definitely the best way to experience what it’s like to work in that field.
Best Things about the Program?
I participated in the GEMS Fire Control course at Picatinny Arsenal in the summer of 2017 and returned as a Near Peer Mentor this summer. Fire Control taught me the science of making sure a projectile reached its intended target. It took concepts from math and physics and applied to real life scenarios. My cohort leader, Tom Bober, did an excellent job of teaching students advanced statistics and calculus while keeping the class entertaining and enjoyable. There were some students who needed some more support to gain comfort with the math, and working alongside him to help these students conceptually understand complex topics was an amazing experience for me.
How Participating in AEOP Inspired You to Advance in the STEM Field?
Participating in GEMS has encouraged me to look for more STEM opportunities within the DoD and AEOP. In particular, the HSAP program is something I am interested in. Since GEMS, I have challenged myself academically by taking numerous AP courses in STEM related subjects. In college, I know that I now want to major in engineering so that I can continue to work with the DoD.
Who is your favorite STEM role model?
Elon Musk because he’s an example of how commitment to new technology despite setbacks can change the world forever.
