BNL Summer Internship Programs Symposium: Celebrating Our Future Scientists

August 21, 2008

With summer drawing to a close and students preparing for their return to school, this year's summer interns joined with mentors, directors, policy makers, and representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) during the 2008 annual internship programs symposium on August 13 and 14.

More than 230 students, teachers and faculty from local high schools and universities across the country completed this year's summer internship programs, which are managed by Brookhaven National Lab's Office of Educational Programs (OEP). Mentored by Lab scientists and professionals, interns participate in many aspects of the ongoing scientific research and experiments conducted at the Lab.

The annual summer internship programs, including Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships, Faculty and Student Teams, the Graduate Research Internship Program, and the High School Research Program, are primarily funded by DOE's Office of Science and the National Science Foundation. Additional funding support is provided by agencies including the National Nuclear Security Administration, Howard Hughes Medical Institute via Stony Brook University, the National Institutes of Health and the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program.

Day One

The two-day symposium began with a panel discussion titled "Graduate School Admission." This session was designed to help interns understand how to compare, select, and secure sufficient funding to attend a graduate school. "Never cut off an option," advised George B. Robbins, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, who encouraged students to find a school with programs that interest them and apply-whether or not they meet every requirement.

Berkner Hall buzzed with excitement following the panel discussion as interns presented posters that highlighted their summer projects. Eager to discuss their research, the interns mingled with scientists, administrators and passers-by, sharing the results of their experiments as well as future plans, many of which included continued involvement in science.

Meanwhile in OEP's auditorium, more than 27 high school researchers presented their summer work as well. "These high school students are the best of the best," said Scott Bronson, OEP's Educational Administrator. "Our scientists hate to lose these young scientists when they go back to school in the fall."

The first day of the symposium concluded with a graduate school fair in Berkner Hall, which featured representatives from several graduate schools and foundations.

Day Two

To begin the second day of the summer internship program symposium, selected students gave 15-minute oral presentations to mentors, scientists and administrators from various Lab departments. Afterwards, students again showcased the results of their summer work at another poster session in Berkner Hall.

Next, OEP manager Ken White welcomed interns to the closing ceremony in the Berkner Hall auditorium.

First to speak at the ceremony was U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee who has shown great support for the Lab over the years. Bishop commended the interns for their recent work, stating that "all on Long Island and throughout the nation should be grateful for you and your work at the Lab. There is a deficit of students and we need you to be the next generation of scientists."

Lab Director Sam Aronson added his congratulations and spoke of the Lab's role in cultivating new scientific leaders. "Whether you go on to be a top researcher or simply a scientifically literate member of the nation's citizenry, that's good. After seeing the posters and attending some of the sessions, I see there is a very bright future for science," he said. Aronson also recognized the programs' mentors and their contributions, which provide extraordinary experiences for so many students.

DOE's Site Manager Mike Holland then praised the summer internship program as well as the students' commitment. He noted, "You come from diverse backgrounds and have transcended social and economic boundaries to be here. I'd like to extend to all a congratulations from DOE and its Office of Science."

Concluding the symposium, keynote speaker Jeff Pon, DOE's Chief Human Capital Officer, assured interns of DOE's commitment to create opportunities for them to continue working in science. He also referred to the nation's energy challenges and its need for good scientists and stated, "Science will bring economic prosperity to our nation. Coming back to a national laboratory to work is to be a patriot."

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