ORNL offers immersive programs that give students and educators opportunities to explore science, research, skilled trades, and STEM careers in a national laboratory environment. Through internships, research experiences, camps, and professional learning, participants can build skills, learn from ORNL professionals, and gain firsthand exposure to educational and career pathways.
Internships and Research Experiences
Next Generation STEM Internships Program (NGSI)
The Next Generation STEM Internships Program (NGSI) gives eligible high school students and recent graduates an opportunity to participate in a STEM internship at ORNL and gain hands-on experience working with ORNL researchers while learning about STEM careers, professional expectations, and the role of research in a national laboratory environment.
The program is open to juniors and seniors, as well as recent high school graduates within two years of graduation who have not yet enrolled in college. Applicants must be in good standing at an accredited high school or home school program in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, or Sevier County.
Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge
Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge provides high school students and STEM teachers from the 13-state Appalachian Region with a two-week, hands-on research experience at ORNL.
Participants work in small teams on inquiry-based projects connected to current ORNL research, gaining firsthand exposure to laboratory science, STEM careers, and ORNL research resources. Participants are nominated by state Appalachian Regional Commission representatives and selected by the ARC.
Teacher Summer Institute
The ORNL Teacher Summer Institute is a four-week externship that immerses STEM educators in research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Participants work alongside ORNL research and technical staff, engage in hands-on learning, tour laboratory facilities, and participate in collaborative professional development. The experience helps educators connect real-world research with meaningful STEM learning in their classrooms.
Summer Camps
SAGE Camp
Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement (SAGE) is a summer day camp for high school students ages 14–17 that introduces participants to the breadth of STEM careers and gives students opportunities to meet STEM professionals, explore workplace environments, and consider how their interests and skills could connect with future education and career pathways.
During the week-and-a-half program, students participate in hands-on scientific projects, job shadow scientists and engineers, tour ORNL facilities, hear from STEM professionals, and explore potential career pathways.
Facilities & Operations Trades Camp
The ORNL Facilities and Operations (F&O) Trades Camp gives rising high school juniors and seniors firsthand exposure to skilled trades careers at a national laboratory. Through job shadowing, facility tours, and conversations with professionals, students explore technical career pathways and learn about the skills required to support ORNL’s research mission.
During this four-day camp, participants tour ORNL facilities, engage in career discussions, and take part in job-shadowing experiences across a variety of skilled trades. Students gain firsthand exposure to technical career pathways and learn how skilled trades professionals contribute to ORNL’s facilities and research mission.
Have questions? Contact the ORNL K–12 Education team at [email protected].