High School Student Opportunities

Are you a rising junior/senior or a recently graduated senior (within two years of graduation who has not yet enrolled in college) and in good standing at an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Roane or Loudon County? Looking to participate in a STEM internship at ORNL? The NEXTGENS internship program may be for you!

Spring 2024 Applications Accepted Until October 23, 2023

The NextGen Pathway to Computing program affords rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates in accredited high schools or home school programs in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, and Roane counties the opportunity to learn about foundational computer and computational science skills. Students will be mentored by ORNL research and technical staff and will gain valuable skills needed for successful careers in computing fields. The NEXTGENSCOMPUTING program may be for you!

Summer 2023 Applications Closed

The ARC/ORNL High School Summer Math Science Technology Institute has occurred annually at ORNL for many years. The ARC/ORNL Summer Institute is a 2-week program that provides a short-term, hands-on research experience for small groups of high school students and STEM teachers from the 13-state Appalachian Region. The students and teachers are nominated by state ARC representatives and selected by the ARC. ORNL mentors are invited to work with either a team of teachers or a team of students on focused, inquiry-based applied projects that provides opportunities for the participants to be engaged in current projects at ORNL. The program highlights the critical value of ORNL and its science resources that are available to the Appalachian Region.

Summer 2023 application window has closed.

The Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) mission is to engage curious and passionate young women and empower them to explore a wide range of possibilities for their futures. Hosted by professional leaders who share their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM), SAGE builds community, fosters innovation, and sets young women on a path to exciting careers. Learn more about SAGE Journey here.

SAGE is a week and a half long summer day-camp for high school students (ages 14-17) hosted by National Laboratory scientists and engineers to share what life is like in STEM professions. High school students will participate in hands-on activities including: hands-on scientific projects, job shadowing scientists and engineers, ORNL facility tours, STEM career talks, discussions about professional growth, and so much more.

Camp will meet daily 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday (6/12 – 6/16) and Monday-Wednesday (6/19 – 6/21) at the American Museum of Science & Energy (AMSE) (115 E. Main St., Oak Ridge, TN 37830). Transportation to and from ORNL from AMSE will be provided during the camp’s 2nd week.

SAGE Camp 2023 applications closed on April 15th, 2023.