This program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in STEM disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion. SMART is part of a concentrated effort to improve the flow of new, highly skilled technical labor into DoD laboratories and agencies and to enhance the technical skills of the workforce already in place. The DoD offers scholarships to undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude for training and education in STEM fields. Students are also provided opportunities to continue their research in civil service roles following graduation.

Registration: Dead-line is typically in December

Eligibility: Students, 18 or older with a minimum GPA of 3.0, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the disciplines listed at http://smart.asee.org/about

Read more at: http://smart.asee.org/

This program is a web-based science, mathematics and technology competition for students from sixth through ninth grade that promotes self-discovery and enables all students to recognize the real-life applications of science, math and technology. Teams propose a solution to a real-world problem in their communities and compete for regional and national awards.

Registration: from August until December

Eligibility: Teams of three to four students in the same grade level (sixth through ninth grade) and one team advisor who is a teacher, coach, counselor, or leader of a youth organization (at least 21 years of age).

Read more at: https://www.ecybermission.com/

This program promotes original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level and publicly recognizes students for outstanding achievement. By connecting talented students, their teachers, and research professionals at affiliated symposia and by rewarding research excellence, JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation.

Registration: Spring-time (February/ March)

Eligibility: Students from grades nine through twelve, enrolled in a public, private or home school within the area served by the JSHS regional symposium

Read more at: http://www.jshs.org/

This program is a DoD-sponsored summer apprentice program that provides students with invaluable experience and exposure to the world of scientific research. It offers apprenticeships to high school students interested in science and engineering. The students are assigned to a participating laboratory to pursue scientific experiences with a scientist or engineer who serves as mentor to the apprentice for eight continuous weeks.

Registration: Typically November to the end of January

Eligibility: High school students, 16 years or older

Read more at: http://www.usaeop.com/programs/SEAP/index.htm

Exhibiting at career fairs and expos, ECBC’s outreach program and practicing scientists and engineers (S&Es) introduce exciting career opportunities, showcase some of the Center’s cutting-edge research and engineering technologies and engage students in real-world learning activities.

Examples:

• Harford County’s Futures 11
• Bel Air High School’s “Careers in Your Backyard at APG”
• Cecil County STEM Rally
• Project DREAM Work’s Career Expo at Edgewood Middle School
• Aberdeen Middle School Career Fair
• Team America Rocketry Challenge

ECBC subject matter experts (SMEs) assist school administrators, counselors and teachers to shape K-12 curricula and programs based on the educational needs of the private and government sector by transferring their technical knowledge and expertise.

Examples:

• Joppatowne High School’s Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program
• Bel Air High School’s Biomedical Sciences Program
• Aberdeen Science and Math Academy Curriculum
• Cecil County Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Engineering

The Center’s S&Es serve as guest speakers and present educational briefings to educate students about the relevance and excitement of STEM in the real-world and to make s cience and engineering more compelling for them.

Examples:

• Havre de Grace Middle School’s  Intervention and Enrichment Program
• Harford County’s Technology Needs Teens
• NASA Controller Sy Liebergot  presentation for seven high schools and one middle school within HCPS

The Center’s SMEs help students academically succeed, build relationships and understand the real-world application of STEM in assignments such as senior capstone projects.

Examples:

• SMART students
• Joppatowne High School HSEP Program
• Aberdeen Science and Math Academy
• A.M. Academic Club at Edgewood Middle School
• Edgewood High School
• RAM Hour Academic Club

As project and virtual judges in STEM fairs and competitions, conducted by local school districts, the Army and DoD, S&Es help evaluate students’ STEM projects and ensure a high standard of current and future science and engineering solutions.

Examples:

• eCYBERMISSION competition
• Junior Science and Humanities Symposia
• FIRST Lego League
• Redeemer Classical Christian School (Baltimore County)

ECBC’s practicing S&Es engage students in problem-solving and hands-on STEM experiences in the classroom to reinforce K-12 STEM concepts and demonstrat e their real-world applications.

Examples:

• CSI: Edgewood at eCYBERMISSION’s Army Enrichment Day
• CSI: Joppatowne for Joppatowne High School’s HSEP Program
• Engineering is Elementary at North Harford Elementary School
• The Magic of Science at Edgewood and Aberdeen Middle School
• STEM Night at Youth Benefit's Elementary School

ECBC’s Community and Educational Outreach Program delivers STEM learning modules into classrooms to supplement traditional curricula with interactive and inquiry-based learning experiences.

Examples:

• Material World Modules
• Lego Mindstorm Robotic Kits
• Engineering is Elementary

When providing summer camp support for public schools and STEM-focused programs, ECBC offers a combination of educational outreach initiatives such as tours of ECBC laboratories and a Scientist-in-the-Classroom Activity or Guest Lecturing.

Examples:

• Joppatowne High School’s HSEP Summer Career Camp
• Cecil County STEM Academy Summer Camp
• Cyberwatch 12 Program (STEM Academy students from Anne Arundel County)

The Center’s S&Es offer teachers professional development opportunities in STEM, using real-world applications that enable the delivery of cutting-edge solutions and technologies in their workplace.

Examples:

• Cecil County science teachers
• Cecil County math teachers – Math Quest
• Harford County science teachers
• Harford County biology teachers

In visiting ECBC laboratories, students experience the real world of practicing S&Es, discover exciting career opportunities and explore a variety of leading-edge research and engineering technologies.

Examples:

• Joppatowne High School’s HSEP
• A.M. Academic Club
• Harford Technical High School
• Aberdeen Middle School
• Aberdeen Science and Math Academy
• Cecil County STEM Academy
• Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
• University of Maryland Young Scholars