BYLINE: Savannah Mitchem
Learning experiences at Argonne National Laboratory gas the ambitions of future leaders in science, expertise, engineering and arithmetic.
Designed to inspire and equip the nation’s future scientific workforce, academic programs hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory present college students and educators with alternatives to step outdoors of the classroom and discover real-world science firsthand.
Centered on science, expertise, engineering and arithmetic (STEM), Argonne’s immersive academic programs embrace workshops, camps, analysis partnerships and extra. These experiences — many of which occur throughout the summer time — strengthen expertise, confidence and connections, making ready the next generation of STEM leaders in areas important to accelerating discovery, strengthening nationwide safety and driving vitality innovation.
“We are giving students and educators the chance to engage with science in a way that’s real, relevant and transformative,” Argonne Director of Institutional Partnerships Meridith Bruozas stated. “These programs are building a future-ready STEM workforce equipped to tackle the world’s toughest challenges yet in science and technology.”
During summers at Argonne, explorers at each stage of studying — from highschool hackers and battery builders to Ph.D.-level scientists conducting field-defining analysis — have participated in the lab’s STEM programs. As college students and educators weave their experiences at Argonne into the educational yr, the laboratory recounts a number of highlights from its most up-to-date summer time of STEM and appears ahead to a brand new yr of studying, scientific discovery and expanded alternatives for future innovators.
“We are giving students and educators the chance to engage with science in a way that’s real, relevant and transformative.” — Meridith Bruozas, Director of Institutional Partnerships at Argonne
Intensive workshop energizes the next wave of electrochemists
In June, Argonne and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) hosted the 2025 Next Generation Electrochemistry (NGenE) Workshop. This workshop introduced collectively over 40 postdoctoral researchers and senior graduate college students to discover superior matters and rising challenges at the frontier of electrochemistry.
Concepts in electrochemistry are foundational to applied sciences in drugs, vitality storage, water remedy, vital supplies restoration and extra. In specific, the subject investigates how chemical adjustments in supplies can be utilized to have an effect on the circulation of electrical energy — and vice versa.
Since 2016, the NGenE workshop has supplied a discussion board for vibrant, early-career researchers to debate promising instructions in electrochemistry, determine gaps in understanding and suggest progressive analysis and improvement methods.
“The level of energy and creativity in this year’s group was through the roof,” stated NGenE Director Jordi Cabana, a number one electrochemistry knowledgeable with a joint appointment at Argonne and UIC. “These researchers deeply believe in the power of electrochemical technologies, and they are going to be the ones driving the field to new heights.”
This yr, NGenE individuals represented 27 establishments throughout 15 states. During the workshop, they participated in lectures, panel discussions, lab facility excursions, demonstrations, poster classes and networking occasions. The workshop culminated in capstone displays, which individuals labored in groups all through the week to arrange.
“The lectures covered a wide range of topics, ranging from fundamental science to real-world engineering and materials supply chain issues,” stated Alessio Cosenza, an NGenE participant and doctoral pupil at the University of California, Irvine. “The lively discussions inspired me to think bigger and more creatively.”
The 2025 NGenE theme, “Electrochemistry for Energy Abundance,” highlighted the potential of electrochemical science and expertise to offer wide-ranging vitality options. This yr’s discussions additionally emphasised the energy of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to speed up discovery and innovation in the subject.
“Other workshops often focus on particular aspects of electrochemistry or gather scientists with similar research backgrounds,” stated Diana Oh, a workshop participant and doctoral pupil at Columbia University. “NGenE provided the opportunity to share knowledge across disciplines and learn about the interconnected research efforts taking place across the field as a whole.”
In her opening remarks to NGenE individuals, Megan Clifford, Argonne affiliate laboratory director for science and expertise partnerships and outreach, additionally underscored the alternative introduced by NGenE for interdisciplinary collaboration. “This workshop not only equips you with cutting-edge technical knowledge, it also invites you into a community of researchers, thinkers and leaders who are driving transformational change,” she stated.
The NGenE workshop was co-sponsored by the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science (ACCESS), the Energy Storage Research Alliance (ESRA) and UIC via the George Crabtree Institute for Discovery.
“Experiential learning to this degree — focused deep in science and research — requires partnership and commitment,” Argonne Workforce Development Manager Amy Trethaway stated. “Argonne commends DOE, ESRA and UIC for their willingness to invest in programs like NGenE, which have a profound influence on career pathways and help strengthen our future workforce.”
STEM summer time camps spark curiosity and construct pupil confidence
Argonne’s summer time programs additionally included a collection of STEM camps for center and highschool college students in the area. These free, week-long camps immersed college students in the laboratory surroundings, offering hands-on experiences that join classroom studying to real-world impression.
“Middle and high school are critical times for students when they decide what pathways to pursue and whether or not they see themselves in STEM,” stated Kelly Sturner, a STEM training program lead at Argonne’s Learning Center. “Our programs expose students to careers in STEM and help them develop the skills they need to be successful.”
Held in June, Argonne’s Coding for Science Camp was the first of three camps the laboratory supplied this summer time. This camp launched 30 rising 10th and 11th grade college students to the Python programming language and the position of computing in scientific analysis.
Students participated in programming actions all through the week, exploring real-world computing challenges and growing expertise in problem-solving and teamwork. The camp additionally gave college students the alternative to attach with Argonne researchers and technicians working at the forefront of excessive efficiency computing.
In mid-July, Argonne hosted the Science Discovery Camp, which introduced collectively a gaggle of over 20 rising 8th and 9th grade college students with an curiosity in STEM. This extremely curious group spent an enriching week working collectively on initiatives and experiments, assembly Argonne staff and touring the lab’s amenities.
Held for the first time this yr, the Science Discovery Camp launched college students to actual analysis occurring at the lab in fields resembling cosmology, computing, quantum info science, robotics and vitality storage. The camp additionally uncovered college students to each established and rising applied sciences, together with AI and ML instruments, and supplied a supportive surroundings for training teamwork and communication expertise.
“My favorite part about the camp is that they give us plenty of time and freedom to experiment and explore the topics on our own,” stated camper Jack Kanagy, a rising 8th grade pupil from the native space. “I’m also gushing about the facility tours. It’s fun to see the lab working like one giant clock with a bunch of tiny mechanisms, and it gives us a look into what it’s actually like to be a scientist.”
Later in July, Argonne welcomed 20 rising highschool seniors and school freshmen to its Big Data Camp. This camp launched college students to knowledge science, AI and ML and highlighted how these quickly rising fields are remodeling our strategy to scientific inquiry.
Under the mentorship of researchers from the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) — a DOE Office of Science consumer facility — the college students constructed foundational expertise for analyzing, visualizing and figuring out patterns inside scientific knowledge.
They labored with actual datasets supplied by Argonne scientists, exploring matters together with grid resilience, battery supplies and excessive vitality physics. Campers additionally toured Argonne’s world-renowned supercomputing and visualization amenities, together with the ALCF’s Aurora exascale supercomputer, one of the quickest computer systems in the world.
“It’s especially important that we prepare students in areas like AI and energy, where innovation will shape our shared future,” Bruozas stated. “I look forward to the impact these bright minds will have as they advance in STEM fields.”
Expanding alternatives via DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program
Argonne’s STEM initiatives usually are not standalone — they’re half of a broader ecosystem of DOE-supported programs that translate STEM training into nationwide advantages. Through DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program (VFP), for instance, Argonne gives school from faculties throughout the area the alternative to conduct analysis at the laboratory over the course of a summer time.
Through the VFP, professors with restricted analysis alternatives at their residence establishments can entry Argonne’s cutting-edge analysis amenities and world-class pool of experience. The program additionally strengthens the area’s STEM pipeline by permitting school to incorporate their college students in the expertise.
Soma Chattopadhyay, an assistant professor of engineering at Elgin Community College (ECC), accomplished her second VFP appointment at Argonne this summer time. Chattopadhyay is working with Elena Shevchenko, a scientist at Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM), to find out the optical properties of nanocrystals for potential purposes in photo voltaic cells, lasers and different optoelectronic gadgets.
Using superior microscopy and spectroscopy capabilities at the CNM — a DOE Office of Science consumer facility — Chattopadhyay is investigating small-scale phenomena inside these nanocrystals, together with processes that haven’t been reported earlier than.
Chattopadhyay was lately awarded the 2025 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. The award acknowledges her distinctive management and unwavering dedication to pupil success. In her acceptance speech, Chattopadhyay cited her work at Argonne as a key consider rising analysis alternatives for ECC college students.
“Without the VFP, I could not have restarted research, especially in an advanced field like nanotechnology. I’m extremely grateful for this program and the help I’ve received from Argonne scientists, engineers and technicians,” stated Chattopadhyay, who included one of her college students in her VFP analysis. She plans to hold her work at the CNM into this educational yr and past.
Chattopadhyay’s VFP expertise was supported by DOE’s Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists.
“My students have also benefitted a lot from the VFP and the connections I’ve made at Argonne,” she stated. “Many more students attending community college can excel at research if they’re given the right opportunities.”
Seasonal STEM program gives undergraduates actual‑world analysis expertise
Argonne’s Seasonal Internship Program provides undergraduates a direct pathway into STEM careers, pairing them with Argonne specialists to deal with palms‑on analysis initiatives. Applications for the multi-week 2026 Summer Internship Program are open now via Feb. 6.
Students spend their first week growing a analysis plan with mentors and finishing required security coaching. In the weeks that observe, they develop initiatives with continued steerage, culminating in a last poster presentation. Participants additionally attend weekly seminars and excursions centered on present science and engineering matters and profession improvement.
Ultimately, Argonne’s STEM programs share a standard aim: to foster curiosity, confidence and technical expertise in the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. Together, these programs exhibit the laboratory’s dedication to empowering learners and bolstering the nation’s management in science and expertise.
About Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials
The Center for Nanoscale Materials is one of the 5 DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers, premier nationwide consumer amenities for interdisciplinary analysis at the nanoscale supported by the DOE Office of Science. Together the NSRCs comprise a set of complementary amenities that present researchers with state-of-the-art capabilities to manufacture, course of, characterize and mannequin nanoscale supplies, and represent the largest infrastructure funding of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. The NSRCs are situated at DOE’s Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley, Oak Ridge, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. For extra details about the DOE NSRCs, please go to https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance.
The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility supplies supercomputing capabilities to the scientific and engineering neighborhood to advance elementary discovery and understanding in a broad vary of disciplines. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, the ALCF is one of two DOE Leadership Computing Facilities in the nation devoted to open science.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks options to urgent nationwide issues in science and expertise by conducting modern primary and utilized analysis in just about each scientific self-discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of primary analysis in the bodily sciences in the United States and is working to handle some of the most urgent challenges of our time. For extra info, go to https://energy.gov/science.