ORNL’s K-12 education programs help foster an early interest in science by providing scholarly competitions, summer education workshops, science camps, and various research participation opportunities. All of the programs involving students under the age of 18 have been moved to the K-12 Education Programs. The K-12 programs at ORNL include the following:
Next Generation STEM Internships Program (NGSI) | |
Are you a 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, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Sevier County? Looking to participate in a STEM internship at ORNL? The NGSI program may be for you! Applications for Spring 2026 are open until October 22, 2025 |
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)/ ORNL High School Summer Math Science Technology Institute | |
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. Applications for summer 2025 are closed. |
Science Accelerating Growth & Engagement (SAGE) |
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The Science Accelerating Growth & Engagement (SAGE) mission is to engage curious and passionate students 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 participants 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. For more information about SAGE, visit https://education.ornl.gov/sage-faqs/. Applications for summer 2025 are closed. |
Summer Teacher Institute |
The ORNL Teacher Summer Institute is a four-week teacher externship that immerses high school STEM educators in cutting-edge research at ORNL. During the program, teachers conduct research alongside research and technical staff, engage in hands-on learning experiences, tour ORNL facilities, and collaborative professional development that translate real-world research into meaningful STEM learning. Applications for summer 2026 will open in early 2026. |
For more information about high school opportunities, please email [email protected].