STEM Ambassadors
The Southern Research STEM Ambassador Program provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to support and deliver engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences for middle and high school students.
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 four exciting summer academies:
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.
Designed for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, this program blends biotechnology-inspired challenges with hands-on science exploration. Students will experiment, analyze, collaborate, and think like scientists while uncovering how breakthroughs in biology and technology shape our world.
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.
A 1-week, premier summer program for rising 10th-, 11th-, 12th-grade students and graduating seniors. Through hands-on experience in the realm of biotechnology, participants will deepen their skills while solving real-world health challenges. Join us for an unforgettable week of discovery, innovation, and career exploration!
Experience Details
All summer academies take place at Southern Research’s STEM Education Outreach Building, where students will learn through discovery, collaboration, and problem-solving, gaining essential skills for success in STEM.
- 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.
STEM Ambassadors are paid $15/hour, with weekly compensation through Express Employment Professionals. Ambassadors also receive exclusive program apparel and lunch provided each day during the training week and summer programs.
Our STEM Ambassadors help facilitate hands-on activities, build relationships with our camp participants, and help bring STEM concepts to life for students across Alabama. From preparing lab materials, mentoring campers, collaborating on curriculum design, and bringing the fun, our STEM Ambassadors play a critical role in the preparation and execution of our summer programs.
Program dates will be based on the annual summer camp schedule. A detailed schedule will be shared with STEM Ambassadors prior to the start of the program. STEM Ambassadors can expect to work 35–40 hours per week during camp weeks.
The training and summer academies will be held at Southern Research’s STEM Outreach Building, 2000 9th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205.
Are you interested in this opportunity? Email your questions about this program to Kristen Bates at kbates@southernresearch.org.
Be sure to include “STEM Ambassador Program” in the subject line of your email.