Christine Hoh, a senior at Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama, has had an impressive journey with the AEOP’s Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program.

As a military child who moved around growing up, Christine faced the challenge of adjusting to new schools frequently. Despite these changes, her interest in STEM remained, and it was through GEMS that her passion was truly reignited.

Christine first got involved with AEOP through GEMS in 2023. Her friends and her mom introduced her to the program. She was excited to try it out, especially since her interest in STEM had started to fade as school made it feel more like a requirement than something enjoyable. GEMS offered a fun way to dive back into STEM, and Christine loved it so much that she decided to come back as a Near-Peer Mentor (NPM) the following year. She was a NPM for four sessions during the summer of 2024 guiding rising fourth and fifth graders. 

From Participant to Mentor

As a student, Christine enjoyed the hands-on, engaging activities that GEMS offered. Now, as a mentor, she helps guide younger students through similar activities. Her role includes leading experiments and helping students understand STEM concepts in a way that’s fun and accessible. One of her favorite parts of being a mentor is seeing students get excited when they finally understand how something works. 

One of Christine’s standout moments as a mentor is seeing students experience a sense of success. Whether it’s when they figure out why an experiment worked, grasp new terminology, or simply enjoy learning something new, those moments of wonder, understanding, and excitement are truly special.

One memorable experiment Christine led involved demonstrating convection currents. In one activity, she used a bottle filled with water and oil to show how different densities create layers. Adding Alka-Seltzer caused bubbles to rise and fall, making the convection currents visible. Another experiment used a hot plate to heat milk with cocoa powder on top. As the milk heated, the cocoa powder broke apart, visually illustrating the work of convection currents. Christine loved seeing the awe on the students’ faces as they understood these concepts through the experiments. The visual impact of the activities really helped the lessons click for them.

Christine’s time as a mentor allowed her to be creative and connect with students on a personal level. She was amazed by their curiosity and how working with younger students inspired her to think and question things more deeply. 

Looking Ahead

Christine plans to major in psychology, with interests in criminology or psychiatry, and is considering schools like West Point and the University of Birmingham. Her time with GEMS has strengthened her commitment to these goals and has made her even more determined to support others in finding their passions. Now, she has the chance to provide similar guidance and inspiration to younger students as they navigate their own growth and development in STEM.

She also plans to continue being a Near-Peer Mentor and return to GEMS next year. 

Advice for Future Participants

Christine encourages anyone thinking about joining GEMS or other AEOP STEM programs to not hesitate and go for it. She says that if you’re willing to put in the effort and have fun, you’ll find it to be a great experience. She believes that these programs are a perfect fit for anyone interested in learning and exploring STEM.

Christine also wants to remind students not to let academic pressure make you forget your passions. She hopes that more schools will promote programs like GEMS so that students can keep their interest in STEM alive.

Christine Hoh’s story shows how GEMS can make a big difference in someone’s life. Whether you’re interested in signing up as a student or as a Mentor, getting involved with GEMS can help you discover and maintain your love for STEM.

To learn more about GEMS, click here.