How do I get started?

• Teachers! Get started now...

  • Create a team of 3-10 girls in grades 2-12.

  • Select or create your own STEM lesson plan utilizing ALEX resources.

  • Teach the selected lesson to the team/class. Begin a student project based on the lesson to showcase at the Expo.

  • Check out the sample application, selection criteria, and FAQs.

This event is based on an application process.

Only teams receiving a notice of acceptance are eligible to attend.

Where can I find the application? 

The GEMS application can be found on the GEMS website at http://www.gemsu.org.  The application for the GEMS Expo is simple and easy to complete. You may view a sample application here. It asks for a variety of school and sponsor information but also asks the sponsor teacher to indicate the GEMS lesson plan on which the student project will be based. Additionally, applicants are given the opportunity to describe the project and how it will be presented. Remember that this is the ONLY information that the selection committee will have to judge the application so be sure to thoughtfully answer each question. Refer to the Team Selection Application Scoring Rubric for more information. 

When can I apply? 

Applications for the 2025 Expo will be released on Monday, December 2, 2024. Applications are due by Thursday, December 19, 2024. Sponsors of accepted teams will receive an email confirming acceptance no later than Friday, December 20, 2024.

What's the agenda for the event?

The hours of our GEMS Expo will be approximately 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM.  A sample agenda may be viewed here.

Sample projects from previous years:

• Using Code to Create an Animated Animal

• The 4th Little Pig - Designing a Hurricane-Proof Roof

• The Sinking State of Alabama

How many students can participate? 

Teams must include between 3 and 10 students. Please note the number of team members included on the accepted application must remain the same for the actual Expo, as the total number of Expo participants is set by the accepted application. No additions to teams will be accepted. 

What are the grade levels?

Girls in grades 2 - 12 may participate on an accepted team.

Can a team consist of students from multiple grade levels?

Yes, teams may include female students from multiple grade levels.  

Can a school have more than one team apply? 

Yes, a school may have more than one team apply! Each team must have an adult teacher/sponsor who will be responsible for the students at all times during the GEMS Expo. Normally, no more than two teams per school will be selected in order to provide equity for the overall GEMS program. Please note: Each team will be evaluated individually. One team accepted from a school DOES NOT mean that all teams from a school are selected. Teams that are not selected may NOT be combined with accepted teams. 

How many sponsors can participate? 

All sponsors must be LEA employees. To accommodate the maximum number of students, we ask that only one sponsor attend the Expo per GEMS team. A co-sponsor may be approved if the team travels more than 125 miles one way to the event. The approved co-sponsor must be listed on the team application form. 

How much does it cost? 

There is no cost to participate in the GEMS Expo. This is NOT a competition. Teams that are selected to attend through the application process are already winners! 

How does choosing a lesson plan work? 

View the ALEX search page or these GEMS Resources from APTV and PBS Learning Media.  Select a STEM-related Classroom Resource, Activity, or Lesson Plan you would like to teach or create your own. Present the lesson/activity to the team/class. The team will create a project based on the lesson presented. 

Can I write my own lesson/activity?

Yes, a teacher/sponsor may choose to create or use their own lesson plan/activity on which to base the team's project. You will be asked to add a link to the lesson/activity within the online application.  If the document is a Google Doc, be sure to select "anyone who has the link can view."

What's the student video?  BONUS! 

An optional component of the GEMS Expo application is the student video.  The video is scored as bonus points and is not required to apply. The GEMS team members will create a short video to preview and provide a brief description of the planned project following these guidelines. NOTE: A 30-second - 1-minute video is sufficient.  You can view student videos from GEMS Expo 2024 here: https://bit.ly/GEMS2024Playlist 

What are the eight GEMS strategies to encourage girls in STEM?

Projects must be related to a STEM content area.  We encourage teachers to utilize two or more of the GEMS strategies during the learning process.  

What can we expect during the Expo Event?

• Each team accepted to attend the Expo is expected to present the projects during the Project Showcase. A six to eight-foot table will be available for each team. Teams will need a project display board to explain the project’s challenging problem/question, as well as a description of the project/challenge including the process and expected outcomes.  Teams may use a digital resource (i.e. slideshow, video, website, etc.) for display purposes during the GEMS Expo.  The use of digital content is encouraged throughout the learning process. 

• The team may select a project board layout that best fits the project design and activities.  In most cases, you will use a standard, three-panel display board 36" tall by 48" wide.  Click here for suggested guidelines.  

• Each team must have an adult teacher/sponsor who will be responsible for their students at all times and will need to be present during their presentation time.

• Internet and electricity will be provided upon request (be sure to request it on the application form).

• Teams will be responsible for bringing their own computers, projectors, power strips, etc. if needed for the presentations. (Please make note of this on the application so that you will have power at your designated table.)

• The hours of our GEMS Expo may vary.  Locate the agenda on the specific Expo location page using the menu above. 

• What should we wear? Only comfortable clothes are needed. Closed-toed shoes are required for all activities. We will have outdoor activities. Pack for the weather, remember that layers of clothing are warmer and can be removed if needed.

Travel arrangements and expenses are the responsibility of each Team Sponsor.  Sponsors are to follow the district’s field trip policy for guidance to attend the event and monitor students.  It is the sponsor’s responsibility to have emergency contact information, etc. for the students attending. The ALEX team will not collect this information.  Each team is responsible for the bus driver's pay and food costs, if needed.

Team Arrival 

Please refer to http://gemsu.org, select the Expo Menu option, then the event location link for specific agendas, times, and needed supplies.  Follow these procedures upon arrival.

1. Registration and Entrance: Sponsors ONLY report to the registration table located at the Front Entrance.  Once the sponsor has signed in, teams may enter to set up projects.  

2. Each team member and sponsor will receive:

   • Name tags – All participants and sponsors will receive a name tag for admission to the event.  These Name tags will need to be worn at all times during the Expo.  

3. Project Display Supplies: Instructions for Project Display supplies will be provided upon arrival.  Time will be allowed to set up the displays before the showcase begins. 

Project Display Setup and Showcase

The Teams will display their projects at the Expo using a Project Display Board.  Refer to the GEMS Expo Project Display Board Guidelines for more information.  Your role as the sponsor during the Project Showcase will be to chaperone and guide them if they need assistance.  The girls’ roles are to present their project to the audience visiting their table.  The girls should be the ones sharing the project, results, what they learned, etc., not the sponsor.  The girls may view other teams’ projects, as long as there are at least two girls at your team’s table at all times.  Electricity and WiFi will be available upon request.  Please ensure to complete the GEMS Expo Planning and Prep to request electricity and/or wifi.

Expo Guests

Depending on the capacity of the venue, expo guests, including parents and siblings, may be welcome to attend the GEMS Project Showcase.  Refer to the specific location agenda for times.

Grant guidelines prohibit providing goods or services to guests.  Therefore, only Expo participants (students and approved sponsors) with a nametag will be allowed to receive lunch/snacks and take part in the afternoon Activities.  The scheduled afternoon STEM Hands-on activities are for teams and sponsors only. 

STEM Hands-on Activities

Only Expo team members, sponsors, and co-sponsors will be allowed to take part in educational activities.   Sponsors are asked to stay with their teams and ensure all team members are reporting to the assigned room at the correct time.  We encourage sponsors to participate in activities, but please let the team members do the work.  

Food and Snacks 

Lunch and snacks will be provided to GEMS Sponsors, approved Co-Sponsors, and team members during the event.  Participants requiring a special diet are requested to bring their own meal items.  Please note the sponsor and student are responsible for monitoring food intake during the event. 

Medication and First Aid

If medication is to be administered to a child during the event, all GEMS Team Sponsors are required to follow school/district medication procedures.  The ALEX, ALSDE, and Venue Staff are not responsible for the management of student medication. 

If a medical emergency arises during the Exposition, we will follow the venue’s safety protocol and guidelines.