This summer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) hosted science education programs that provided students with hands-on experience related to several LLNL research themes. The science education offerings for this summer included three standout programs: the Manufacturing Workshop, STEM with Phones and the Biotech Summer Experience.
The Manufacturing Workshop
The Manufacturing Workshop is an engaging three-day program for high school students aged 16-18. Through hands-on activities with 3D printing, students explored design and fabrication, developed practical skills and gained insights into career opportunities in manufacturing.
Students toured the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other Laboratory spaces, learning about diverse career paths in the field. Many described these tours as the highlight of their experience.
One student shared, "I really enjoyed going to LLNL's Main Bay machine shop. Seeing the equipment up close, asking questions and learning how employees collaborate on projects gave me a glimpse of what my future career could look like."
Echoing this enthusiasm, another student said, "I feel lucky - it's not every day that I get to tour NIF. This unique experience has helped me decide what to major in."
During the workshop, students also learned about LLNL's Machinist Apprenticeship Program, a comprehensive four-year California-certified initiative that provides paid education and hands-on training in the machine-tool trade.
STEM with Phones
STEM with Phones is a one-week workshop for high school students to explore science and technology careers. By leveraging the capabilities of smartphones, students observed fundamental principles of physics and engineering through hands-on experiments.
Throughout the week, students learned to utilize the sensing and computing power of everyday devices, exploring concepts such as sound wave analysis, the principles behind voice recognition and the study of human movement using accelerometers and gyroscopes. They also examined the properties of modern digital displays and applied scientific methods to real-world problems, gaining practical experience relevant to a wide range of STEM careers.
The workshop, designed and led by David Rakestraw in the Science Education Program at LLNL, introduced students to a variety of STEM topics, many of which were entirely new to them.
"Our goal with STEM with Phones is to provide students with a unique learning experience that drives their curiosity and helps them build the skills to become innovators of the future," said Rakestraw. "This year, we also added the use of AI as a co-investigator, which was extremely exciting for the students."
Students appreciated the real-world applications of their experiments and gained a broader understanding of STEM's role in everyday life. Throughout the week, they investigated motion, sound, light and magnetism through lessons that integrated these concepts with AI, data modeling and valuable soft skills. By the end of the workshop, students had gained a clearer understanding of physics and new ideas for applying what they learned to research, coding projects and AI analysis.
Even when tackling challenging topics, students felt confident thanks to the engaging and interactive teaching style.
One student shared, "This past week has been both incredibly fun and deeply inspiring. All of the instructors were incredibly passionate about the subject, and it really came through in every lesson, which made the material more understandable and enjoyable. Even the hardest concepts were broken down in a way that was easy to grasp. It was amazing learning about the incredible technologies hidden within our phones and uncovering the fascinating patterns in physics."
In addition to the engaging instruction, students valued the broader insights and inspiration they gained from their experience at the Lab.
"I'm truly grateful for this summer's experience. In just one week, I learned more than I did in a whole year of honors physics. Meeting LLNL scientists and hearing their journeys was inspiring. The Lab's impact on science is profound, and I hope to return one day as a scientist," said another student.
The Biotech Summer Experience
The Biotech Summer Experience is a two-week program that introduces high school students to the world of molecular biology and bioinformatics research. Offered in partnership with the Waksman Student Scholar Program at Rutgers University, the program immerses students in hands-on lab work and real-world scientific discovery.
Participants practiced essential lab techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), restriction digests and gel electrophoresis to isolate and analyze the DNA of Landoltia punctata (duckweed). Under the guidance of instructor Erin McKay, a Tracy High School biology teacher and LLNL faculty scholar, students gained a clear understanding of each step in the research process.
Beyond the lab, students explored gene analysis using the same bioinformatics tools employed by scientists worldwide. Their DNA sequences will be submitted for publication in GenBank, the international DNA repository, with each student credited by name for their contribution.
One participant shared, "My biggest takeaway from this program is how much I learned in the lab. From understanding procedures to conducting experiments and analyzing results, I gained valuable hands-on experience. The program helped me become more independent and confident in solving problems on my own. It also expanded my understanding of biology beyond what I could get from a textbook."
Another student reflected, "This program has opened my eyes to the range of possibilities for a future career in STEM. I'm excited to follow my curiosity and see where it leads me."
