Hundreds of students, educators and early-career researchers gained hands-on science and technology experience at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) this summer through programs designed to build pathways to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
For Addison Malone, that pathway began at ORNL's Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement (SAGE) Camp as a high school student. What began as a summer exploration of science led her to two summers with ORNL's Next Generation STEM Internship (NGSI) , where she has worked alongside researchers, developed technical skills and gained firsthand experience in a national laboratory.
"Programs like SAGE and NGSI gave me opportunities I never imagined I'd have in high school," Malone said. "They connected me with incredible mentors, introduced me to hands-on research and turned my curiosity into a passion I am eager to pursue."
Malone's progression from summer camp to research internship illustrates how ORNL's education programs are designed to support students as their STEM interests and skills develop. Rather than offering one-time experiences, the laboratory creates pathways that help students and educators build knowledge, confidence and technical skills as they progress through school and toward STEM careers.
Building pathways from STEM exploration to careers
This summer, ORNL welcomed hundreds of students, educators and early-career researchers through immersive programs designed to spark curiosity, develop technical expertise and inspire careers in STEM. Together, these experiences help build the skilled workforce needed to address some of the nation's most pressing energy, security and scientific challenges.
"When we bring students to the laboratory and they meet our researchers and see what a big science facility actually looks like, it brings science to life in a new way," said David Keim, director of Communications and Community Engagement at ORNL. "We want young people to really understand why it matters and the many career opportunities available."
For some participants, that journey begins with the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge . The program introduces middle school students from across Appalachia to hands-on STEM learning while also providing research opportunities for high school students and professional development for STEM educators. Through team projects, laboratory tours and interactions with ORNL researchers, participants discover how science and engineering can solve real-world problems.
As students develop their STEM interests, ORNL programs offer increasingly specialized opportunities to explore science, engineering and technical careers. SAGE Camp introduces high school students to careers in science and engineering through hands-on activities, laboratory tours and interactions with researchers. The Facilities and Operations Trades Camp introduces students to the skilled trades professionals whose expertise is essential to operating one of the nation's premier research laboratories.
Students ready for deeper research experiences can participate in NGSI, working alongside ORNL mentors on research-inspired projects while building technical and professional skills. Other students explore emerging technologies through Next Generation Pathways to Computing-Quantum, which introduces high school students to quantum information science and the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.
Connecting classrooms, research and careers
ORNL's summer programs also extend research experiences to educators. During the Teacher Summer Institute, educators spend four weeks conducting research alongside laboratory staff while exploring emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, nuclear science and quantum science. Participants return to their classrooms with authentic research experiences, new lesson plans and practical examples that help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
ORNL also hosted a regional cohort of Quantum, Computing, Math, and Physics for Educators, known as QCaMP, a national initiative led by Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Through virtual instruction, hands-on learning and interactions with ORNL scientists, K-12 educators explored foundational quantum concepts and gained resources to bring quantum science into their classrooms. ORNL partnered with the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative to expand access to the program for educators across East Tennessee.
Although each program serves a different audience, together they form a continuum of opportunities that supports learners at every stage, from middle school students discovering STEM for the first time to educators expanding their expertise and students preparing for college and future careers.
Malone is one of several students who returned to ORNL this summer after participating in an earlier education program. Their continued involvement illustrates how sustained STEM experiences can help students build skills, develop professional connections and explore potential education and career paths. By creating opportunities for learners at every stage, ORNL is investing in the scientific and technical talent needed to strengthen American leadership in science and technology. For Malone, that investment began with a single summer camp. This fall, she will attend the University of Tennessee, carrying with her the skills, confidence and inspiration she gained through her experiences at ORNL. Her story demonstrates how one opportunity can spark a lifelong interest in STEM and help launch the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit energy.gov/science .
