Southern Research

About the Ambassador Program

The STEM Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and leaders in STEM. Ambassadors will play a key role in Southern Research's Summer STEM Academies, which offer hands-on, immersive STEM experiences for middle and high school students.

Ambassadors will gain invaluable leadership, non-profit, and education experience while building connections with leading scientists and professionals in the community. As a STEM Ambassador, you will help Southern Research advance its mission to empower students who are passionate about STEM, fostering creativity and discovery while strengthening the future STEM workforce.

Southern Research’s STEM Education Outreach program offers three exciting summer academies:

Middle School STEM Camp
Designed for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students, this 3-day camp is a fun, interactive introduction to STEM. Students will participate in engaging, hands-on activities and experiments in areas like genetics, microbiology, and chemistry, sparking curiosity and exploration.

Biotech Academy
Tailored for rising 10th-12th grade students and graduating seniors, this week-long program offers advanced STEM learning, career exposure, and mentoring opportunities. Participants will engage in biotechnology-focused experiments, including bacterial transformation, DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis, preparing them to excel in Alabama’s growing biotech industry.

Advanced Biotech Academy
Advanced Biotech Academy is a week-long program exclusively for students who have completed Biotech Academy. This advanced program builds on foundational skills, offering a deeper exploration of biotechnology through hands-on experiments, problem-solving, and collaborative research projects. Participants will refine their laboratory techniques, tackle complex scientific challenges, and gain valuable insights into STEM careers through mentorship and industry engagement.

All summer academies take place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where students will learn through discovery, collaboration, and problem-solving, gaining essential skills for success in STEM.

Qualifications

To be eligible for a STEM Ambassador position, you must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at a college/university pursuing a career in a STEM field or STEM education. You must be living in the Birmingham area for the summer.
We are looking for students who are passionate about STEM education, demonstrate excellent organizational and communications skills, are proactive, and are able to work as part of a team.
It is important that you are responsible, punctual, and detail-oriented.
You must pass a background check and drug screening prior to employment.

Compensation

STEM Ambassadors will receive $15/hr. paid weekly through Express Employment Professionals. We will also provide you with a t-shirt and lunch each day of the training week and Biotech Academy weeks.

Responsibilities

Assist in facilitating laboratory experiences in a variety of disciplines, with a particular focus on biology and life sciences.
Lead discussions on scientific topics.
Serve as a mentor to participating high school students.
Collaborate on curriculum design.

Schedule

Program dates are as follows. STEM Ambassadors will work between 35-40 hours/week.

June 2-6: Training for Summer Academies
June 9-11: Middle School Camp Week 1
June 16-18: Middle School Camp Week 2
June 23-27: Biotech Academy Week 1
July 7-11: Biotech Academy Week 2
July 14-18: Biotech Academy Week 3
July 21-25: Advanced Biotech Academy

Location

The training and summer academies will take place at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Application

Thank you for being so interested in becoming a STEM Ambassador! Applications are now closed. Please contact Kristen Bates at kbates@southernresearch.org if you have any questions. Be sure to include "STEM Ambassador Program" in the subject line of your email.

Discovery

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Capabilities