Applications to Study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Institute Being Accepted


The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is once again offering high school students and teachers an opportunity to study at the renowned Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee this summer.

ARC’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) provides two residential, hands-on learning institutes focusing on math, science, and technology for high school students and teachers (July 8-21, 2017) and for middle school students (July 16-21, 2017). Middle and high school students and teachers from throughout Appalachia will participate in the hands-on learning program that will focus on the application of math and science principles in the world of work.

Students work in teams on research projects during the one-week academy, with each team comprising three to six students. The team approach provides an opportunity to conduct research activities and solve problems in a group setting, which mirrors the process students will later find in work settings. Research topics and activities may include such areas as biofuels and alternative energy.

Interested parties can view examples of the research and program activities conducted during past summer science camps at the SummerSTEM website: arc.gov/summerSTEM.

Selected participants will spend most days in one of several Oak Ridge research laboratories, but field trips to nearby industries, universities, and museums also will illustrate applications of math and science in the real world and provide participants with opportunities to learn more about Appalachia and some of its unique characteristics.

For the upcoming sessions, applications must be submitted to Olivia Collier, the North Carolina ARC State Program Manager, on or before March 17, 2017. Applications and additional information are available online at nccommerce.com/rd/arc/oak-ridge-summer-institute.

Image Information: Students from last summer's session at Oak Ridge.