WDTS Big Data Science and Applications Summer School
In collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab), the Big Data Science and Applications (BDSA) Summer School provides graduated high school seniors and college freshman an immersive experience in computational science, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications in big data (BD) analysis. Students will spend five weeks onsite at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) beginning with participation in a two-week BD/AI/ML boot camp. The boot camp is designed to build computer science skills and provide foundational levels of BD/AI/ML knowledge through a series of hands-on coding experiences guided by subject matter experts from BNL and JLab. Following, students will utilize their acquired skills and knowledge to collaborate on capstone projects that highlight the topics covered during the bootcamp. At the conclusion of the program, participants will present their research to STEM faculty and their peers.
Throughout the program, participants will interact with BNL and JLab STEM staff and be introduced to opportunities throughout the National Lab complex. BDSA is funded as part of the Department of Energy, Office of Science Pathway Summer Schools supported by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS).
All participants will receive onsite housing at the lab. Participants are responsible for round-trip transportation costs to arrive to and depart the site.
Summer 2026 dates for this 5-week program will be announced here. Please check back soon for additional information and to apply.
Program Benefits
Participants will gain experience in coding, real-world applications, problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective science communication. Additionally, participants will:
- Earn a stipend of $500 per week upon completion of a weekly report
- Gain skills transferrable to a variety of career paths
- Grow their network of STEM professionals
- Be a part of a community of motivated STEM students
Eligibility Criteria
Students interested in STEM, especially in the areas of scientific computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, are encouraged to apply.
At the time of application submission, all applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. Citizen;
- Be available for the entirety of the program (onsite at BNL from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on all dates of the program); and
- Have active health insurance for the duration of the program
Some requirements are specific to your level of study:
| College Students | High School Students |
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Application Requirements
- Before completing the application process, please have the name, town/district, and zip code of your school, plus any STEM courses taken with corresponding grades and GPA (weighted/unweighted for high school students; overall/STEM for college students)
- Two recommendation letters from STEM professionals (such as STEM course teachers/professors, mentors, academic advisors, or other relevant STEM professionals) are required. Recommendations are submitted online. Instructions on how to request and submit the recommendation letters are provided in the application confirmation email.
- Applicants are asked to provide short essays on why they want to participate in the program and about their motivations and interests in pursuing a STEM field.
Only completed applications will be considered. Completed applications include both letters of reference. Students are notified of their acceptance in the program within three weeks of the application deadline.
Contact
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Sharon Pepenella
(631) 344-2359
Workforce Development and Science Education Office
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Building 438
Upton, NY 11973-5000
