WDTS Big Data Science and Applications Summer School

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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 three-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 projects that highlight the topics covered during the bootcamp. These projects may also align with the EIC and Genesis Mission—efforts that are a focus at both laboratories—and will be developed in partnership across the two labs. 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).

Students on Long Island and within the tri-state area are eligible to participate in the program at BNL. Students local to JLab should apply through JLab's program website. Onsite housing is available to participants, as needed, at no cost to the participant. However, all participants are responsible for their travel costs, including round-trip transportation costs to arrive to and depart the site for those staying onsite.

The 2026 program dates are July 13, 2026 to August 14, 2026 (Monday - Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm).

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;
Live on Long Island or within the tri-state area;
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
Must have valid Real ID compliant identification by the application deadline

Some requirements are specific to your level of study:

College Students	High School Students
Must currently be a freshman in a local college. Must be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline. Must have a GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 for STEM courses ONLY (there is no overall GPA requirement).	Must currently be enrolled in 12^th grade and will graduate before the start of the program. Must be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline.

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.

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