General Lab Information

Kindergarten through 12th Grade

Brookhaven Lab is offering in-person and virtual field trip options that advance our mission to develop the next generation of STEM professionals. Please review the Updates to 2023-2024 Field Trips (below) and the individual program and contest pages for detailed information. To request field trip dates, visit https://oepreg.bnl.gov/.

K through 12 programs

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:

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 2022, 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

    (In-person or Virtual) Determine the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron using a table-top particle accelerator.

  • Animal Tracking

    (In-person or Virtual) Utilize observational skills to identify the characteristics of an unnamed animal as each species has its own track.

  • Bioinformatics

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about the field of bioinformatics and study DNA using Python code.

  • Build a Better Battery Through Chemistry

    (In-person) Design and perform an experiment that tests properties of metals and electrolytes for their potential as conductors for a wet cell battery.

  • Collisions

    (In-person or Virtual) Use marbles to simulate particle collisions to learn about energy transfer.

  • Conductors & Insulators

    (In-person only) Create a simple circuit to determine what materials are good conductors and insulators.

  • Detecting the Building Blocks of Matter

    (In-person or Virtual) Practice the art of particle detection to see cosmic rays

  • Discovering Solar Panels

    (In-person) Measure the electrical output of solar panels positioned at different angles.

  • DNA Analysis - Cutting DNA with Enzymes

    (In-person) Utilize restriction patterns to identify an unknown restriction enzyme.

  • DNA Extraction

    (In-person or Virtual) Extract DNA from cells and learn about genetic material.

  • Encryption Cyber Security

    (In-Person or Virtual) Learn the basics of message encryption using Python code

  • Engineering with Gravity

    (In-person or Virtual) Design and build a  structure that demonstrates gravitational pull.

  • Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering

    (In-person) Transform bacteria by adding new DNA (genes) into the cell. 

  • Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering (AP Lab)

    (In-person) Conduct a controlled genetic transformation experiment using green fluorescent protein and antibiotic resistant genes.

  • Graphing Solar Energy

    (In-person or Virtual) Study how different factors affect solar panels by graphing their output over time.

  • Intro to Measurement

    (In-person only) Use various materials to measure the length of an object to understand the need for a standard unit of measure.

  • LINAC - Ready, Set, Smash!

    (In-person) Create a model linear accelerator (LINAC)

  • Magnetic Levitation

    (In-person only) Use magnets and math to design and test the efficiency of a MagLev train.

  • Magnets

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn the properties of magnets and determine which materials are magnetic. 

  • Modeling Electron Microscopy

    (In-person) Use a model scanning probe microscope to identify the structure of a hidden material.

  • Nanotechnology

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the applications of nanotechnology in the real world

  • Nowcasting: Cloud Formation Lab

    (In-person) Learn the role aerosols play in cloud formation.

  • Observing Nano in Nature

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about nanotechnology in nature through scientific observation.

  • Potential & Kinetic Energy

    (In-person or Virtual) Collect and analyze data from a vehicle traveling down a ramp to understand potential and kinetic energy.

  • Properties of Matter

    (In-person only) Use measuring tools to identify the correct sample material by understanding it's properties.

  • Properties of Nano

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about the size, scale and properties of nanomaterials.

  • SARS-CoV-2: What do amino acids have to do with it?

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the basics of structural biology and learn about Brookhaven's SARS-CoV-2 research efforts.

  • Seeing the Light

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the various properties of light.

  • Series & Parallel Circuits

    (In-person only) Create both series and parallel circuits that are powered by a hand-crank generator.

  • Sounds Around

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn how sound is produced and travels through different forms of matter.

  • Spectroscopy

    (In-Person or Virtual) Identify chemical elements through spectra produced by diffraction. 

  • Static Electricity

    (In-person or Virtual) Transfer electrons from the Van de Graaff generator to make objects repel each other. 

  • Virus Infection Lab

    (In-Person) Infect E.coli with T7 bacteriophage to determine virus infectivity.

  • Waves and Resonance

    (Virtual) Find out how music and particle physics are connected!

Workshops

  • Environmental Education Research Programs

    The environmental education research programs supported by Brookhaven National Laboratory and collaborators provide students the opportunity to perform fieldwork on Long Island rivers and within local communities to learn more about the environment.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • SAGE: Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement

    The SAGE mission is to engage curious and passionate students of genders underrepresented in STEM and empower them to explore a wide range of possibilities for their future.

  • 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

  • WDTS RENEW Brookhaven User Facility Summer School

    The Brookhaven User Facility Summer School is a four-week educational program that provides upper high school and community college students with an authentic, hands-on STEM research experience that utilizes multiple state-of-the-art user facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).

     

Programs for Teachers

Professional Development

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.

  • 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

    (In-person or Virtual) Determine the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron using a table-top particle accelerator.

  • Animal Tracking

    (In-person or Virtual) Utilize observational skills to identify the characteristics of an unnamed animal as each species has its own track.

  • Bioinformatics

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about the field of bioinformatics and study DNA using Python code.

  • Build a Better Battery Through Chemistry

    (In-person) Design and perform an experiment that tests properties of metals and electrolytes for their potential as conductors for a wet cell battery.

  • Collisions

    (In-person or Virtual) Use marbles to simulate particle collisions to learn about energy transfer.

  • Conductors & Insulators

    (In-person only) Create a simple circuit to determine what materials are good conductors and insulators.

  • Detecting the Building Blocks of Matter

    (In-person or Virtual) Practice the art of particle detection to see cosmic rays

  • Discovering Solar Panels

    (In-person) Measure the electrical output of solar panels positioned at different angles.

  • DNA Analysis - Cutting DNA with Enzymes

    (In-person) Utilize restriction patterns to identify an unknown restriction enzyme.

  • DNA Extraction

    (In-person or Virtual) Extract DNA from cells and learn about genetic material.

  • Encryption Cyber Security

    (In-Person or Virtual) Learn the basics of message encryption using Python code

  • Engineering with Gravity

    (In-person or Virtual) Design and build a  structure that demonstrates gravitational pull.

  • Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering

    (In-person) Transform bacteria by adding new DNA (genes) into the cell. 

  • Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering (AP Lab)

    (In-person) Conduct a controlled genetic transformation experiment using green fluorescent protein and antibiotic resistant genes.

  • Graphing Solar Energy

    (In-person or Virtual) Study how different factors affect solar panels by graphing their output over time.

  • Intro to Measurement

    (In-person only) Use various materials to measure the length of an object to understand the need for a standard unit of measure.

  • LINAC - Ready, Set, Smash!

    (In-person) Create a model linear accelerator (LINAC)

  • Magnetic Levitation

    (In-person only) Use magnets and math to design and test the efficiency of a MagLev train.

  • Magnets

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn the properties of magnets and determine which materials are magnetic. 

  • Modeling Electron Microscopy

    (In-person) Use a model scanning probe microscope to identify the structure of a hidden material.

  • Nanotechnology

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the applications of nanotechnology in the real world

  • Nowcasting: Cloud Formation Lab

    (In-person) Learn the role aerosols play in cloud formation.

  • Observing Nano in Nature

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about nanotechnology in nature through scientific observation.

  • Potential & Kinetic Energy

    (In-person or Virtual) Collect and analyze data from a vehicle traveling down a ramp to understand potential and kinetic energy.

  • Properties of Matter

    (In-person only) Use measuring tools to identify the correct sample material by understanding it's properties.

  • Properties of Nano

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn about the size, scale and properties of nanomaterials.

  • SARS-CoV-2: What do amino acids have to do with it?

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the basics of structural biology and learn about Brookhaven's SARS-CoV-2 research efforts.

  • Seeing the Light

    (In-person or Virtual) Explore the various properties of light.

  • Series & Parallel Circuits

    (In-person only) Create both series and parallel circuits that are powered by a hand-crank generator.

  • Sounds Around

    (In-person or Virtual) Learn how sound is produced and travels through different forms of matter.

  • Spectroscopy

    (In-Person or Virtual) Identify chemical elements through spectra produced by diffraction. 

  • Static Electricity

    (In-person or Virtual) Transfer electrons from the Van de Graaff generator to make objects repel each other. 

  • Virus Infection Lab

    (In-Person) Infect E.coli with T7 bacteriophage to determine virus infectivity.

  • Waves and Resonance

    (Virtual) Find out how music and particle physics are connected!

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