NCS, Partners Host GEMS STEMCamp Orlando

The National Center for Simulation (NCS) will collaborate with partners to hold this year’s “GEMS STEMCamp Orlando” summer program during June and July in Orlando, Florida.

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Program is a joint effort between the Army, Navy, NASA Kennedy Space Center, the Veterans Administration Simulation Learning Center and Universal Studios. The science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) camp seeks to capture students’ attention in four industries: military modeling and simulation, space, medical and entertainment. GEMS is also looking for companies interested in supporting the STEM initiative.

“If you’ve ever played a single- or multi-player video game, or an observer-style strategy game, been in a simulator, seen a hologram, or experienced individuals or teams interacting with robots, then you have a sense of the type of work we do,” said Dr. Neal Finkelstein, chief operating officer for the NCS. “We employ entertainment principles to immerse warfighters physically, mentally, and emotionally in serious training by making technology more user-friendly, engaging, and effective. This important work has the potential to save the military time, money, and lives.”

“STEM is vital to the Central Florida area and just as vital to students in rural areas across Central Florida as we work to meet the needs of our students,” Finkelstein said. “The camps enable us to spark more interest in STEM by serving more underserved communities, and we are excited to see the benefits students will experience because of this program.”

The GEMS STEMCamp Orlando summer program is free of charge for fifth-to-eighth-grade students, who receive a $125 stipend after completing the one-week, in-person program, but not the virtual program. New GEMS students will attend the program in June. Returning students will attend in July.

For more information on how your company can support this effort, email stemcamporlando@gmail.com.