The following news release was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will collaborate to provide an enriching and welcoming summer school for college freshman from underrepresented and underserved groups in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM). Two cohorts of students will each spend three weeks at both Fermilab and Brookhaven for a six-week exploratory STEM experience focusing on neutrino research, quantum science, and artificial intelligence. Students will take part in hands-on modules and professional development activities, and join a supportive community of mentors, advisors, and peers.  

DOE's RENEW Initiative to Support Five Pathway Summer Schools for Students from Underrepresented and Underserved Groups in STEM

Photo collage of students at BNL

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science (SC) will support nearly 100 high schoolers, recent high school graduates, and early undergraduate students from underrepresented groups and underserved schools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through awards for five Pathway Summer Schools at six national laboratories. The funding comes from SC’s Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative. Sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS), the WDTS RENEW Pathway Summer Schools aim to diversify the STEM pipeline via hands-on learning opportunities at DOE national laboratories.

“We need a diverse workforce to solve the big science challenges we are currently facing now and in the future,” said Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Director of the DOE Office of Science. “The summer schools will engage a diverse group of students who may not have otherwise seen themselves in science. Our hope is that they see the opportunities available in the science disciplines and continue to pursue a career.”

The new awards are:

  • Ames National Laboratory, Data Science Workshop for Energy Solutions
  • Argonne National Laboratory, Pathways in Physical Science Summer School
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Next Generation Pathways to Computing
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, WDTS RENEW Pathway Summer School at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory/Brookhaven National Laboratory (Collaborative), Fermilab and Brookhaven Summer School Exchange Program

The WDTS RENEW Pathway Summer Schools will create a consortium of intentional, concerted, and continued efforts across the DOE national laboratories to explore, initiate, and sustain inclusive pathways for young students to enter the science and technology workforce in support of the DOE mission. The Pathways Summer Schools will leverage existing partnerships between the DOE national laboratories and local, regional, national organizations supporting underrepresented groups in STEM to recruit participants. Students will participate in a range of activities to increase STEM efficacy and promote STEM identity, for example, with hands-on learning guided by a mentor or mentoring team, networking with mentors and other summer school participants, and professional development activities. The summer schools will be provided during Summer 2023.

The WDTS RENEW Pathway Summer Schools will join the existing DOE SC portfolio of research internships, summer schools, and fellowships for all educational levels, ranging from high school to established faculty. See more at the Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists website.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.

Follow @BrookhavenLab on Twitter or find us on Facebook.

2023-21045  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom