During summer 2026, 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 four programs: SAGE, the Manufacturing Workshop, STEM with Phones and the Biotech Summer Experience.
SAGE
Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement (SAGE) is an experiential, one-week summer day camp for public high school students ages 14 to 17 in Northern California. The program is designed to empower students to explore a wide range of professional possibilities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
Throughout the week, students participated in career talks with LLNL scientists and engineers, learning about their career paths and work while having the opportunity to ask questions. They also job-shadowed LLNL scientists and engineers inside the Laboratory to take a firsthand look at the daily work of STEM professionals and toured different parts of the Lab.
Monica Moya, group leader in LLNL's Materials Engineering Division, contributed to the program by delivering a career talk and hosting students for a job-shadowing experience.
"I really enjoy sharing my passion for science with students. When they tell me that my story has inspired them, it's incredibly meaningful. Their excitement about science inspires me in return and motivates me to keep going," Moya said.
For Moya, the conversations students have with scientists are an important part of the SAGE experience. They give students a chance to ask questions and see the human side of scientific work.
"I love this program because it connects students with the people behind the science while giving them meaningful, practical experiences. By making scientists accessible, students are able to ask questions and hear about the personal stories, challenges and unexpected turns that shaped our careers. These stories help students see that there is no single path to a career in science," Moya said.
Students also took part in projects designed to build technical skills and deepen their understanding of LLNL research and technology. In addition, students developed professional and leadership skills by learning tools to help them enter and succeed in STEM fields, while building confidence and effective communication skills.
"A highlight of my experience was seeing how scientific work happens firsthand and learning about fields I had not considered before, such as nanotechnology and manufacturing engineering. This camp has helped me build confidence, develop professional skills and connect with other students who share my interests," shared one SAGE student.
SAGE combined mentorship, job shadowing and applied learning to help students build confidence and envision themselves pursuing STEM careers.
The Manufacturing Workshop
The Manufacturing Workshop is an engaging three-day program for high school students ages 16 to 18. Through 3D printing activities, students explored design and fabrication, developed practical skills and learned about career paths in manufacturing.
Johanna Schwartz, an LLNL staff scientist, co-led sessions introducing students to 3D printers and computer-aided design (CAD). She taught students about polymers, 3D design and 3D printing.
"The Manufacturing Workshop is an amazing and important program, both for the students and for me. Each year, it is exciting to see their enthusiasm as they design, manufacture and develop new skills. The workshop reminds me why I love working in advanced manufacturing, and I hope some of my passion for the field stays with them as they pursue their future careers," Schwartz said.
Students toured the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other Lab spaces, learning about diverse career paths in the field. For many students, the tours were a highlight of the workshop.
During the workshop, students also learned about LLNL's Machinist Apprenticeship Program, a comprehensive four-year, California-certified initiative that provides paid education and training in the machine-tool trade.
By combining applied learning with exposure to LLNL's advanced facilities and career pathways, the Manufacturing Workshop helped students connect design and fabrication skills with future opportunities in manufacturing and engineering.
STEM with Phones
STEM with Phones is a one-week workshop for high school students interested in exploring science and technology careers. By leveraging the capabilities of smartphones, students explored fundamental principles of physics and engineering through interactive investigations.
Throughout the week, students used everyday devices to investigate sound waves, voice recognition, human movement, digital displays and other scientific concepts. They also applied scientific methods to real-world problems, developing skills relevant to a wide range of STEM careers.
Designed and led by David Rakestraw of LLNL's Science Education Program, the workshop introduced students to topics including motion, sound, light and magnetism. Lessons incorporated artificial intelligence, data modeling, coding and essential communication and collaboration skills.
"Engaging with nearly 30 highly motivated and curious high school students in a STEM learning environment is one of the highlights of my year. In this workshop, we combined the remarkable sensing capabilities of smartphones with the breathtaking analytical power of the latest AI models to measure and investigate a wide range of phenomena. Students used GPS data to study position and displacement as we walked across Earth's surface, smartphone cameras to explore blood flow through spectroscopy, and microphones to characterize the complex sound waves produced by balls colliding with different surfaces," Rakestraw said.
By the end of the workshop, students had developed a deeper understanding of physics and discovered new ways to apply what they learned through research, coding projects and AI analysis.
Students also appreciated the opportunity to learn from passionate scientists and about their career journeys. Many were impressed by how much physics they could learn in just one week and said the experience inspired them to explore future careers in science and technology.
Through familiar technology and creative experimentation, STEM with Phones showed students how scientific investigation can begin with the devices they use every day.
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, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digests and gel electrophoresis, to isolate and analyze DNA from Landoltia punctata, commonly known as duckweed.
Under the guidance of instructors Erin McKay and Elizabeth Lopez - Tracy and Granada High School biology teachers, respectively - and LLNL faculty scholars, students developed a clear understanding of each step in the research process. LLNL Health and Safety Technologist Sofia Pino also instructed the students, guiding them through biotechnology and bioinformatics.
Pino first learned about the Lab as a student more than 12 years ago and now works at LLNL, making her return as an instructor a full-circle moment. She emphasized the personal significance of the experience and the value of revisiting the material in order to teach it effectively. Pino hopes students build the confidence to try new things, learn from failure and explore their interests.
Students also had the chance to analyze gene sequences 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, "This experience has been incredibly enlightening. Participating in a summer program at a national laboratory, using professional equipment, working with inspiring mentors and contributing to a publication was a rare experience. I've learned so much and hope to bring that knowledge back to my high school, share it with others and show them that opportunities like this are possible."
Through research, laboratory training and mentorship, the Biotech Summer Experience enabled students to gain valuable experience while exploring future paths in biotechnology.
Preparing the next generation
Together, LLNL's four summer programs connected students with mentors, advanced facilities and hands-on scientific experiences. These experiences helped participants build confidence, strengthen technical and professional skills, and see themselves as future contributors to the scientific and technical workforce.
