Get Into Green introduces students to the science and technology behind energy, the environment, manufacturing, and transportation. Through interactive experiences inspired by research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, students discover how different STEM fields contribute to understanding our environment and developing new technologies.
The exhibit connects biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and other areas of science with research related to energy efficiency, vehicles, buildings, manufacturing, and the power grid.
What You’ll Do in the Exhibit
Students explore how science and engineering can be used to better understand the natural world and develop technologies for the future.
In the exhibit, students can:
Learn about ORNL research related to energy, transportation, manufacturing, and the environment.
Explore real microbes using an oversized interactive microscope.
Learn how microbes contribute to the environment and human health.
Discover how additive manufacturing and 3D printing are used to create objects from a variety of materials.
Examine examples of 3D-printed components and objects.
Explore how mathematics, communication, and technology contribute to connected and automated vehicles.
Explore the World of Microbes
Microbes are abundant forms of life found throughout the natural world, from soil and the deep sea to the human body. These tiny organisms can play important roles in environmental systems and human health.
In the exhibit, students use an oversized interactive microscope to explore videos of real microbes and learn more about the microscopic life that surrounds us.
Explore Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, allows researchers and engineers to create objects by building them layer by layer.
At ORNL, additive manufacturing research has been used to explore applications ranging from vehicles and manufacturing molds to components for marine environments.
In the exhibit, students can explore materials used in additive manufacturing processes, including bamboo, carbon fiber, coal-derived materials, metal powders, and magnets. They can also examine examples of 3D-printed objects such as a turbine blade, automobile fender, prosthetic, and robotic arm for underwater exploration.
Videos help students see additive manufacturing processes in action and learn how researchers use advanced technologies to study and improve manufacturing.
Explore the Science of Transportation
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on communication, mathematics, and advanced technologies.
Through hands-on demonstrations and video, students explore how vehicles communicate using signals driven by mathematical equations and learn about ORNL research involving connected and automated vehicles.
The exhibit introduces students to research exploring how these technologies can affect fuel consumption, traffic flow, and transportation safety.
Science and Technology at ORNL
Research represented in Get Into Green brings together different areas of science and engineering to address challenges involving energy, the environment, manufacturing, and transportation.
By combining knowledge from fields such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering, ORNL researchers investigate natural systems and develop technologies for vehicles, buildings, manufacturing, and the power grid.
Explore STEM Careers
Get Into Green shows students that solving energy and environmental challenges requires people with many different STEM skills and interests.
Students encounter examples of work involving biological science, advanced manufacturing, transportation, mathematics, engineering, and technology. These experiences can help students see how different STEM fields contribute to research and explore the range of educational and career pathways connected with that work.