Mercer On Mission
Mercer On Mission
Engineering

Jordan: STEM

TRAVEL DATES:
May 14 – June 3, 2026
GENERAL INFO:
The Mercer On Mission program in Jordan offers students a transformative international service-learning experience that integrates STEM education — including robotics, programming, virtual reality and math — with sports-based learning to empower Syrian refugee youth and underserved rural Jordanian communities. This innovative program addresses the educational and economic challenges faced by youth in marginalized communities by using hands-on, engaging and relevant approaches to teach essential 21st century skills. Through the lens of sports, students will explore how engineering and technology can solve real-world problems while fostering resilience, leadership and hope.

Meeting a Need

The program takes place in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, primarily in communities surrounding Al Za’atari Refugee Camp and in rural Jordanian villages. In partnership with We Save the Children Jordan, this initiative will empower youth through an interdisciplinary, culturally mindful approach to STEM learning. The project aims to address the educational and economic challenges faced by Syrian refugee youth and Jordanian youth in rural communities by providing them with access to STEM education, including robotics and programming, through an innovative sports-based approach. This initiative is crucial as it equips students with critical 21st century skills, fosters problem-solving abilities, and enhances their future opportunities in education and employment.

What You'll Do

Through hands-on learning experiences, participating Mercer students will do the following:

  • Teach STEM through sports — Students will use robotics, programming, virtual reality and mathematical modeling to design activities that blend athletic challenges with engineering principles.
  • Foster collaboration and leadership — Students will mentor children in team-based design and problem-solving projects that require critical thinking and creativity.
  • Build technical skills — Students will offer workshops and lessons in basic and advanced programming, robotics control and virtual reality applications.
  • Apply learning through service — Students will engage youth in service-learning tasks that use STEM to solve everyday problems, encouraging innovation, agency and community impact.
  • Promote social resilience — Students will encourage cross-cultural learning, social-emotional development, and resilience-building through mentorship and hands-on interaction. 
Henry Fraley

My time in Jordan with Mercer On Mission was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I taught engineering to Syrian children and hopefully showed them why engineering is so important and something that I have chosen to be my career. I got to experience a culture unlike any I had before, and I got to see a beautiful country that I might not have otherwise. Mercer On Mission is such a great opportunity, and I am thankful I got to go.

Henry Fraley
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Enivronmental Engineering, '27

Academic Courses

Students are required to sign up for six hours of credit. The registrar will enroll you in courses for your program, including one class from each of the program's faculty.

  • TCO 495: Global Learning: Application of AR/VR in STEM
  • TCO 341: Technical Communication
  • TCO 691: Global Learning: Application of AR/VR in STEM
  • EGR ISE 495: Global Learning: Robotics Programing for Social Impact
  • EGR ETM 595: Global Learning: Robotics Programing for Social Impact
  • EGR ETM 695: Global Learning: Advanced Robotics Programing for Social Impact
  • CLA CSL 210: International Service Learning

Faculty

  • Dr. Amro Khasawneh – Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management, School of Engineering
  • Dr. Bremen Vance – Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Information Design and Technology, School of Engineering

Latest MOM News

Interested?

Students interested in participating in a Mercer on Mission program will need to complete an online application before being considered for admission.
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