Are you a high school student with a passion for STEM? Are you interested in exploring the fascinating world of high-tech agriculture and gaining valuable hands-on experience? If so, we have fantastic news for you! The ASTEMA (Advancing STEM in Agriculture in HBCUs) program is offering 12 paid internships and two paid fellowships for the summer of 2024, and the application deadline is approaching fast: Oct. 20, 2023.
About ASTEMA
ASTEMA is a groundbreaking program designed to attract and inspire high school students who are majoring in or planning to major in fields related to chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, and technology. The program aims to cultivate a new generation of professionals in high-tech agriculture through active experiential learning techniques, which have been proven to be powerful tools for increasing students’ awareness, involvement in their studies, leadership skills, and critical thinking abilities.
What ASTEMA Offers
Throughout the academic year, ASTEMA trainees participate in bimonthly webinars that cover a wide range of topics related to STEM in agriculture. These webinars address agricultural engineering, genomics, biotechnology, professional development, and leadership. Trainees will receive guidance on various aspects of their educational and professional journey, including college preparation, resume writing, successful interview strategies, patenting workshops, and applying for federal jobs.
The highlight of the ASTEMA program is the summer experience, which spans three weeks for high school students and their educators. During this immersive experience, participants form interdisciplinary teams and tackle active experiential learning problems that cannot be solved by one major alone. The summer activities are organized into week-long, theme-focused sequences of webinars, laboratory work, and field research.
Program Evaluation and Support
To ensure the program’s effectiveness, ASTEMA incorporates a series of pre- and post-workshop assignments, reports, and presentations. Additionally, two graduate student mentors and several faculty mentors actively participate in all program activities. As a testament to their hard work and dedication, all trainees will receive certificates upon successfully completing all program requirements, along with up to 120 community hours for work at the lab and a modest stipend of $1,000. STEM educators will receive a certificate for continued education and a stipend of $1,500 for this program.
Financial Assistance
ASTEMA understands that attending the program may require travel and housing expenses. To ease this burden, the program covers transportation and housing for participants, and a limited food allowance is provided to each participant.
How to Apply
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge, develop your skills, and gain valuable experience in the world of high-tech agriculture. To apply for the ASTEMA internships and fellowships for Summer 2023, make sure to submit your application by Oct. 20, 2023.
To get started, visit the ASTEMA program’s official website and follow the application instructions provided. Be prepared to showcase your passion for STEM and your commitment to making a positive impact in the field of agriculture.
The ASTEMA program is a successful collaboration between Jookender and UMES. Collaborations like this often bring together diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives, which can lead to innovative and impactful initiatives. It’s evident that this partnership has created a unique opportunity for students interested in STEM and agriculture.
Jookender, with its commitment to community engagement and UMES, an HBCU Land-Grant University, have come together to offer students an outstanding educational experience through the ASTEMA program. This collaboration not only highlights the importance of cooperation in advancing STEM education but also demonstrates a shared dedication to nurturing the next generation of professionals in high-tech agriculture.
The success of the ASTEMA program is a testament to the power of partnerships in education and the potential for positive change when organizations work together toward a common goal. We hope this collaboration continues to thrive and that more students will have the opportunity to benefit from such impactful initiatives in the future.
Jookender is a Massachusetts nonprofit working with youth and young adults in the Greater Boston area and across all 50 states and actively supported by CJP and GPG.
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