JASON's Argonaut Program
Life-Changing STEM Experiences with JASON's Role Models
2023 Argonaut Expeditions
Wild Science: Adventures in the Jungle with The Bug Chicks
Costa Rica
June 22 – 29, 2023
Climate Change: Seas to Trees
Acadia National Park, Maine
July 7 – 13, 2023
Design Thinking, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship
Houston, Texas
July 24 – 29, 2023

Wild Science: Adventures in the Jungle with The Bug Chicks
June 22 – 29, 2023
Argonauts will learn how to conduct comparative and qualitative field studies and data collection protocols in the field. Following that, they will devise their own research questions. They will conduct the original research based on their original questions under the supervision of the two scientists and produce presentations about what they learn.
Climate Change: Seas to Trees
July 7 – 13, 2023
On the Climate Change: Sea to Trees in Acadia National Park expedition Argonauts will help solve challenges caused by microplastics and other consequences of ocean acidification in one of America’s most beautiful national parks. Additionally, Argonauts will help track biodiversity as organisms adapt to ocean acidification. Critical contributions will be made in a large and long- term effort to understand how we can best protect our natural treasures in a time of rapid change.


Design Thinking, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship
July 24 – 29, 2023
The team of Design Thinking, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Argonauts will travel in July 2023 to Houston, TX, one of the nation’s leading centers of technology, design, and innovation. There, they will see how STEM professionals in cutting-edge industries use Design Thinking and entrepreneurial thinking concepts every day to solve real-world problems and create the next big thing. Their itinerary will include visits to world-renowned research institutes, start-ups, and other significant entities.
JASON's Argonaut Program
Do you have what it takes to be a JASON Argonaut? This is one of the most sought after opportunities in the world of STEM education, only available to a select number of students and teachers from our Argonaut partner school districts.
The Argonaut team—named after the band of explorers in Greek mythology who accompanied the hero Jason in his quest to find the Golden Fleece—works directly with JASON scientists, engineers, and other inspiring STEM role models, assisting them on field expeditions, joining them in their lab or office, or being mentored by them remotely.
In doing so, JASON Argonauts experience authentic, real-world STEM in action, and share their understanding and excitement with their peers in school and throughout their community.
Argonauts document and share their expedition experiences with their communities back home and others throughout the world through photos, videos, presentations, and events. Expeditions are shared via social media and the JASON website, generating awareness and excitement about their adventures.
Who Should Apply?
STUDENTS WHO:
- Will be between 13-17 years old on March 1, 2022
- Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science
- Possess excellent leadership and teamwork skills
- Are self-motivated, creative, and adventurous
- Possess (or are willing to learn!) excellent communication skills
- Exhibit an eagerness to participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature
- Have ideally used JASON in an educational setting
- Are enrolled in one of JASON’s Argonaut partner school districts
Note: For students with special needs, accommodations may be made consistent with the student’s’ IEP
TEACHERS WHO:
- Demonstrate outstanding performance in working with students
- Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science
- Possess excellent leadership and teamwork skills
- Are self-motivated, creative, and adventurous
- Possess excellent communication skills
- Exhibit an eagerness to participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature
- Have five or more years of experience working with students
- Have ideally used JASON Learning in an educational setting
- Are employed by one of JASON’s Argonaut partner school districts
JASON's 2021-22 Argonaut Expeditions
Design Thinking, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
October 2021 Remote Bootcamp
Argonauts will work remotely with JASON staff and STEM mentors over four sessions beginning in mid-October to learn and practice the process of Design Thinking:
● How to empathize with end users of a product or service
● Define the problem to be solved
● Generate innovative ideas
● Build prototypes
● Test solutions
● Iterate and improve
While doing so, Argonauts will also practice “thinking like an entrepreneur” so they’ll understand how innovations survive and endure in real-world markets.
September 2022 Boston, MA Expedition
The team of Argonauts that participated in the remote fall program will travel in September 2022 to Boston, MA, one of the nation’s leading centers of technology, design, and innovation. There, they will see how STEM professionals in cutting-edge industries use Design Thinking and entrepreneurial thinking concepts every day to solve real-world problems and create the next big thing. Their three-day itinerary will include visits to world-renowned research institutes, multinational biotech manufacturers, and scrappy startups.
In addition, while in Boston, Argonauts will have an opportunity to present and pitch their own products, services, and business models to mentors who will provide feedback and advice.
Meet the 2021-22 Argonauts

Aakarsh
Tomball, TX

Carol-Ann
West Warwick, RI

Elizabeth
London, OH

Katherine
Burke, VA

Amanda
Portsmouth, VA

Cassondra
Tomball, TX

Ethan
West Warwick, RI

Kayla
Alexandria, VA

Savannah
Princeton, WV

Cameron
London, OH

Cristal
Spring, TX

Moira
Portsmouth, VA

Teresa
Athens, WV

Carl
Spring, TX

Elisha
Portsmouth, VA

Joseph
Princeton, WV

Paul
Portsmouth, VA
JASON's 2020 Argonaut Expeditions
Sounds of Science:
An Innovative STEM Summer Camp Experience Combining Student-Led Scientific Research & Essential Digital Skills
Summer 2020
Have you ever wondered about the sounds you hear outdoors? Why are they there? What’s making them? Are they reaching their intended audience? Can we capture and even map these sounds? Do human noises impact natural environments? Are these soundscapes changing over time?
Argonauts team up with entomologists Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker of The Bug Chicks on a “Virtual Expedition” to explore our world through sound in our camp program entitled “The Sounds of Science!” Youth work together to examine their local soundscapes, ask questions, design experiments, analyze data, and share results using best-practice science communication techniques as well as technology platforms and tools such as iNaturalist, MIT App Inventor, and Audacity.
The multidisciplinary nature of this project allows JASON to authentically combine and integrate elements of citizen science, design thinking, digital literacy, and innovation skill sets into an exciting, streamlined experience.
Meet the 2020 Argonauts

Aidan Massengill
Skidmore, TX

Breanna Herrick
Wetzel, WV

Kyan Butler
Spring, TX

Mary Le
Spring, TX

Alex Jones
Houston, TX

Brooklyn Brown
Byng, OK

Faith Yoho
Wetzel, WV

Laney Phillips
Franklin, VA

Michael Browning
London, OH

Peter Muhitch
At-Large

Amy Adkins
Newark, OH

Carolyn Hizer
Wetzel, WV

Grady Lamb
Doddridge, WV

Lucienne Baudry
Butler, OH

Nathaniel Cronin
Revere, OH

Stephanie “Hope” Bradshaw
Rolling Hills, OH

Amy Thomsen
Butler, OH

Carter Lipscomb
Doddridge, WV

Heidi Bee
Doddridge, WV

Madison Myers
London, OH

Nnemdi Amanambu
Revere, OH

Walter Sias
Doddridge, WV

Brandon Lilley
Franklin, VA

Clara Arcand
Smithfield, RI

Jane Ramos
Smithfield, RI

Mary Gerber
Washington, DC

Paul Sarandria
Portsmouth, VA