Kindergarten through 12th Grade
Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brookhaven Lab has transitioned all K-12 programming to a virtual format for the 2020-2021 academic year, including Discovery Activities, Exploration Labs, contests, and outreach events. These new virtual and remote programming will advance our mission of developing the next generation STEM workforce. Please review the Updates to 2020 - 2021 Field Trips and the individual program and contest pages for detailed information. Thank you for your understanding.

Brookhaven National Laboratory provides opportunities to drive excitement for K-12 students and educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by exploring Brookhaven Lab’s research initiatives.
Academic year programs include:
- Hands-on labs and visits to the Science Learning Center.
- Annual competitions such as the maglev vehicle race and Science Bowl® that give students the opportunity to go head-to-head with peers from across Long Island.
Summer enrichment programs are available for upper elementary through advanced students, from the weeklong Summer Science Explorations program to the summer-long High School Research Program.
Educators can hone their own science research skills by becoming a user of the Lab’s scientific research facilities through the Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge program (SPARK) or taking advantage of other professional development sessions offered annually.
Programs for Students
Contests
- Bridge Building Competition
High school students from Long Island submit their bridges to the ultimate pressure test, and compete to take part in a National Competition!
- Elementary Science Fair
The winner of each grade level from over 100 Suffolk County schools take part every year in BNL's Elementary School Science Fair. Some 470 projects, created by over 500 Suffolk County children ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade, compete.
- High School Science Bowl ®
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl® is a highly publicized national competition among teams of high school students who answer questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science. The winner of Brookhaven’s regional competition will be sent to Washington D.C. to compete in the National Competition.
- MAGLEV Contest
In this contest, you will learn about MAGLEV technology, a system of train transportation that uses two sets of magnets, one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the elevated train ahead, taking advantage of the lack of friction. Contestants will use math, science, and technology principles to optimize the design of a MAGLEV vehicle.
- Middle School Science Bowl ®
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Middle School Science Bowl® is a highly publicized national competition involving math and science academic competition. Beginning in January 2019, more than 4,500 students are expected to compete in fifty regional tournaments throughout the nation. The winner of Brookhaven’s regional competition will be sent to Washington D.C. to compete in the National Competition.
Field Trips
- Discovery Activities Field trip program for students in grades 1-5 at the Science Learning Center
- Exploration Labs Hands-on laboratory-based experiences for students in grades 5-12
- Accelerator Science
Determine the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron by utilizing a table-top particle accelerators.
- Animal Tracking
Utilize observational skills to identify the characteristics of an unnamed animal as each species has its own track.
- Bioinformatics
Learn about the field of bioinformatics and study DNA using C++ code
- Blocks & Marbles
Design and build a wooden structure that demonstrates gravitational pull.
- Build a Better Battery Through Chemistry
Design and perform an experiment that tests properties of metals and electrolytes for their potential as conductors for a wet cell battery.
- Citric Acid Process of Soil Remediation
Utilize citric acid to remove toxic metals from soil and use a spectrophotometer to quantify iron in soil.
- Collisions
Use marbles to simulate particle collisions to learn about energy transfer.
- Column Crushers: An Engineering Challenge
Use engineering problem solving to build a column and test it for load bearing capacity and efficiency.
- Conductors & Insulators
Create a simple circuit to determine what materials are good conductors and insulators.
- Detecting the Building Blocks of Matter
Review the history of atomic models and practice the art of particle detection to see cosmic rays
- DNA Analysis - Cutting DNA with Enzymes (AP Lab)
Cut DNA from one molecule and pass it to another as the basis of "recombinant DNA," which is a rapidly expanding field in biotechnology.
- DNA Extraction
Extract DNA from E. coli cells to understand different cell structures.
- Encryption Cyber Security
Learn the basics of message encryption using C++ code
- Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering
An introduction to the history of genetic transformation and the development of gene transfer technology.
- Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering (AP Lab)
Conduct a controlled genetic transformation experiment using green fluorescent protein and antibiotic resistant genes.
- Magnets
Learn the properties of magnets and determine which materials are magnetic.
- Nanotechnology - An Introduction to Nanomaterials
Learn about the size, scale and properties of nanomaterials.
- Nanotechnology - Small Things Bring Big Change
Learn how properties differ at the nanoscale and explore the applications of nanotechnology in the real world.
- Observing Nano in Nature
Learn about nanotechnology in nature through scientific observation.
- Potential & Kinetic Energy
Collect and analyze data from a vehicle traveling down a ramp to understand potential and kinetic energy.
- Protein Structural Biology in 3D
Use the Protein Data Bank to examine proteins in 3-D to understand their structure and function.
- Seeing the Light
Explore the various properties of light.
- Solar Energy
Measure the electrical output of solar panels positioned at different angles.
- Sounds Around
Learn how sound is produced and travels through different forms of matter.
- Spectroscopy
Identify chemical elements through spectrums produced by diffraction.
- Spectroscopy
Identify elements using spectroscopy with visible light
- Static Electricity
Transfer electrons from the Van de Graaff generator to make objects repel each other.
- Virus Infection Lab
Grow a bacterial culture that has been infected by a virus to learn the process of viral replication.
- Waves and Resonance
Find out how music and particle physics are connected!
Workshops
- G.R.E.En. Institute
Students from kindergarten through graduate school perform field work to learn about the local environments on Long Island.
- Open Space Stewardship Program (OSSP)
Students in grades K through 12 participate in environmental research on community property owned by either a public or private agency.
- Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
Allows high school students and their science educators to become visiting researchers to Brookhaven National Laboratory’s scientific facilities— just like the thousands of scientific researchers who use them each year. Participants in this year-round program will conduct hypothesis-driven research through collaborations with scientific experts at Brookhaven Lab
Summer Programs
- 2021 Remote High School Research Program (HSRP)
The High School Research Program, a six-week educational program for students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies, provides access to a real-world scientific community and research experience.
- 2021 Remote STEM-Prep Summer Institute
STEM-Prep Summer Institute is a four-week program to introduce high school students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Summer Science Explorations
Summer Science Explorations
Programs for Teachers
Professional Development
- Professional Development Workshops for Teachers
Professional Development Workshops for Teachers ranging from a few hours to a full week.
Workshops
- Open Space Stewardship Program (OSSP)
Students in grades K through 12 participate in environmental research on community property owned by either a public or private agency.
- SCI-ED Day
Spend the day at Brookhaven National Laboratory for a professional development opportunity where you can meet scientists, see facilities, and discover the latest and greatest scientific innovations. Learn how to engage students at every level by incorporating current research topics into your curriculum. Educators will choose one workshop for the day that suits their grade level and/or interest.
- Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
Allows high school students and their science educators to become visiting researchers to Brookhaven National Laboratory’s scientific facilities— just like the thousands of scientific researchers who use them each year. Participants in this year-round program will conduct hypothesis-driven research through collaborations with scientific experts at Brookhaven Lab
Field Trips
- Discovery Activities Field trip program for students in grades 1-4 at the Science Learning Center
- Exploration Labs Hands-on laboratory-based experiences for students in grades 5-12
- Accelerator Science
Determine the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron by utilizing a table-top particle accelerators.
- Animal Tracking
Utilize observational skills to identify the characteristics of an unnamed animal as each species has its own track.
- Bioinformatics
Learn about the field of bioinformatics and study DNA using C++ code
- Blocks & Marbles
Design and build a wooden structure that demonstrates gravitational pull.
- Build a Better Battery Through Chemistry
Design and perform an experiment that tests properties of metals and electrolytes for their potential as conductors for a wet cell battery.
- Citric Acid Process of Soil Remediation
Utilize citric acid to remove toxic metals from soil and use a spectrophotometer to quantify iron in soil.
- Collisions
Use marbles to simulate particle collisions to learn about energy transfer.
- Column Crushers: An Engineering Challenge
Use engineering problem solving to build a column and test it for load bearing capacity and efficiency.
- Conductors & Insulators
Create a simple circuit to determine what materials are good conductors and insulators.
- Detecting the Building Blocks of Matter
Review the history of atomic models and practice the art of particle detection to see cosmic rays
- DNA Analysis - Cutting DNA with Enzymes (AP Lab)
Cut DNA from one molecule and pass it to another as the basis of "recombinant DNA," which is a rapidly expanding field in biotechnology.
- DNA Extraction
Extract DNA from E. coli cells to understand different cell structures.
- Encryption Cyber Security
Learn the basics of message encryption using C++ code
- Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering
An introduction to the history of genetic transformation and the development of gene transfer technology.
- Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering (AP Lab)
Conduct a controlled genetic transformation experiment using green fluorescent protein and antibiotic resistant genes.
- Magnets
Learn the properties of magnets and determine which materials are magnetic.
- Nanotechnology - An Introduction to Nanomaterials
Learn about the size, scale and properties of nanomaterials.
- Nanotechnology - Small Things Bring Big Change
Learn how properties differ at the nanoscale and explore the applications of nanotechnology in the real world.
- Observing Nano in Nature
Learn about nanotechnology in nature through scientific observation.
- Potential & Kinetic Energy
Collect and analyze data from a vehicle traveling down a ramp to understand potential and kinetic energy.
- Protein Structural Biology in 3D
Use the Protein Data Bank to examine proteins in 3-D to understand their structure and function.
- Seeing the Light
Explore the various properties of light.
- Solar Energy
Measure the electrical output of solar panels positioned at different angles.
- Sounds Around
Learn how sound is produced and travels through different forms of matter.
- Spectroscopy
Identify chemical elements through spectrums produced by diffraction.
- Spectroscopy
Identify elements using spectroscopy with visible light
- Static Electricity
Transfer electrons from the Van de Graaff generator to make objects repel each other.
- Virus Infection Lab
Grow a bacterial culture that has been infected by a virus to learn the process of viral replication.
- Waves and Resonance
Find out how music and particle physics are connected!