Southern Research

About the Ambassador Program

Drone Academy and Rover Academy are scholarship-based, week-long summer programs that offer a balanced, blended experience integrating interactive STEM learning, student mentoring, and career exposure designed for 9th-12th grade students. Drone Academy will prepare students to compete in today’s drone-centric world through hands-on UAV construction, 3D design, flying exercises, and experimenting. Rover Academy will expose students to robotics, coding, and integrative STEM learning to solve real world problems.

Drone Academy and Rover Academy are sponsored by Southern Research and UAB’s School of Engineering and will be held in UAB’s Education and Engineering Complex in Birmingham, Alabama. Students will engage in a variety of hands-on activities as well as hear from engineers and industry professionals. The program curriculum will promote discovery and teach problem-solving skills and teamwork, while enhancing student understanding of necessary technology skills needed to be successful in STEM careers.

As a STEM Ambassador, you will gain extensive leadership, non-profit, and higher education experience, build relationships with a wide cross section of the community including leading scientists and engineers, and help advance our mission to embolden students who possess a passion for innovation and discovery to pursue their interests and strengthen the STEM community. Southern Research and UAB are committed to fostering creativity and impacting the future generation. Ideal candidates are passionate about STEM education, motivated to grow as a leader, and eager to gain experience working with students.

Qualifications

To be eligible for a STEM Ambassador position, you must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham pursuing a career in a STEM field or STEM education.
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 $16.50/hr. paid weekly through Express Employment Professionals. We will also provide you with a t-shirt and lunch each day of the training weeks and Drone/Rover Academy weeks.

Responsibilities

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

Schedule

Program dates are as follows. STEM Ambassadors will work a max of 40 hours/week and will have off on Memorial Day (5/29), Juneteenth (6/19), and the week of Independence Day (7/3-7/7).

May 22-26: Training for Drone Academy
May 30-June 2: Mentorship training & Drone Academy Prep
June 5-9: Drone Academy Week 1
June 12-16: Drone Academy Week 2
June 20-23: Rover Academy Obstacle Course Prep
June 26-30: Drone Academy Week 3
July 10-14: Training for Rover Academy
July 17-21: Rover Academy Week 1
July 24-28: Rover Academy Week 2

Location

The trainings, Drone Academy, and Rover Academy will take place in the UAB Education and Engineering Complex (EEC): 1150 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL, 35233. On Fridays during Drone Academy, we will be located at Kratos Defense: 757 Tom Martin Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211.

Application

2023 Applications are now closed. Send any questions to stem@southernresearch.org with the subject line: STEM Ambassador Program.