Argonne National Laboratory: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

Learning experiences at Argonne National Laboratory fuel the ambitions of future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Designed to inspire and equip the nation’s future scientific workforce, educational programs hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory provide students and educators with opportunities to step outside of the classroom and explore real-world science firsthand. Centered on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Argonne’s immersive educational programs include workshops, camps, research partnerships and more. These experiences — many of which take place during the summer — strengthen skills, confidence and connections, preparing the next generation of STEM leaders in areas vital to accelerating discovery, strengthening national security and driving energy innovation. “We are giving students and educators the chance to engage with science in a way that’s real, relevant and transformative,” Argonne Director of Institutional Partnerships Meridith Bruozas said. ​“These programs are building a future-ready STEM workforce equipped to tackle the world’s toughest challenges yet in science and technology.” During summers at Argonne, explorers at every stage of learning — from high school hackers and battery builders to Ph.D.-level scientists conducting field-defining research — have participated in the lab’s STEM programs. As students and educators weave their experiences at Argonne into the academic year, the laboratory recounts several highlights from its most recent summer of STEM and looks forward to a new year of learning, scientific discovery and expanded opportunities for future innovators. “We are giving students and educators the chance to engage with science in a way that’s real, relevant and transformative.” — Meridith Bruozas, Director of Institutional Partnerships at Argonne Intensive workshop energizes the next wave of electrochemists In June, Argonne and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) hosted the 2025 Next Generation Electrochemistry (NGenE) Workshop. This workshop brought together over 40 postdoctoral researchers and senior graduate students to explore advanced topics and emerging challenges at the frontier of electrochemistry. Concepts in electrochemistry are foundational to technologies in medicine, energy storage, water treatment, critical materials recovery and more. In particular, the field investigates how chemical changes in materials can be used to affect the flow of electricity — and vice versa. Since 2016, the NGenE workshop has provided a forum for bright, early-career researchers to discuss promising directions in electrochemistry, identify gaps in understanding and propose innovative research and development strategies. “The level of energy and creativity in this year’s group was through the roof,” said NGenE Director Jordi Cabana, a leading electrochemistry expert with a joint appointment at Argonne and UIC. ​“These researchers deeply believe in the power of electrochemical technologies, and they are going to be the ones driving the field to new heights.” This year, NGenE participants represented 27 institutions across 15 states. During the workshop, they participated in lectures, panel discussions, lab facility tours, demonstrations, poster sessions and networking events. The workshop culminated in capstone presentations, which participants worked in teams throughout the week to prepare. “The lectures covered a wide range of topics, ranging from fundamental science to real-world engineering and materials supply chain issues,” said Alessio Cosenza, an NGenE participant and doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine. ​“The lively discussions inspired me to think bigger and more creatively.” The 2025 NGenE theme, ​“Electrochemistry for Energy Abundance,” highlighted the potential of electrochemical science and technology to provide wide-ranging energy solutions. This year’s discussions also emphasized the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to accelerate discovery and innovation in the field. “Other workshops often focus on particular aspects of electrochemistry or gather scientists with similar research backgrounds,” said Diana Oh, a workshop participant and doctoral student at Columbia University. ​“NGenE provided the opportunity to share knowledge across disciplines and learn about the interconnected research efforts taking place across the field as a whole.” In her opening remarks to NGenE participants, Megan Clifford, Argonne associate laboratory director for science and technology partnerships and outreach, also underscored the opportunity presented by NGenE for interdisciplinary collaboration. ​“This workshop not only equips you with cutting-edge technical knowledge, it also invites you into a community of researchers, thinkers and leaders who are driving transformational change,” she said. The NGenE workshop was co-sponsored by the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science (ACCESS), the Energy Storage Research Alliance (ESRA) and UIC through the George Crabtree Institute for Discovery. “Experiential learning to this degree — focused deep in science and research — requires partnership and commitment,” Argonne Workforce Development Manager Amy Trethaway said. ​“Argonne commends DOE, ESRA and UIC for their willingness to invest in programs like NGenE, which have a profound influence on career pathways and help strengthen our future workforce.” STEM summer camps spark curiosity and build student confidence Argonne’s summer programs also included a series of STEM camps for middle and high school students in the region. These free, week-long camps immersed students in the laboratory environment, providing hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world impact. “Middle and high school are critical times for students when they decide what pathways to pursue and whether or not they see themselves in STEM,” said Kelly Sturner, a STEM education program lead at Argonne’s Learning Center. ​“Our programs expose students to careers in STEM and help them develop the skills they need to be successful.” Held in June, Argonne’s Coding for Science Camp was the first of three camps the laboratory offered this summer. This camp introduced 30 rising 10th and 11th grade students to the Python programming language and the role of computing in scientific research. Students participated in programming activities throughout the week, exploring real-world computing challenges and developing skills in problem-solving and teamwork. The camp also gave students the opportunity to connect with Argonne researchers and technicians working at the forefront of high performance computing. In mid-July, Argonne hosted the Science Discovery Camp, which brought together a group of over 20 rising 8th and 9th grade students with an interest in STEM. This highly curious group spent an enriching week working together on projects and experiments, meeting Argonne employees and touring the lab’s facilities. Held for the first time this year, the Science Discovery Camp introduced students to real research happening at the lab in fields such as cosmology, computing, quantum information science, robotics and energy storage. The camp also exposed students to both established and emerging technologies, including AI and ML tools, and provided a supportive environment for practicing teamwork and communication skills. “My favorite part about the camp is that they give us plenty of time and freedom to experiment and explore the topics on our own,” said camper Jack Kanagy, a rising 8th grade student from the local area. ​“I’m also gushing about the facility tours. It’s fun to see the lab working like one giant clock with a bunch of tiny mechanisms, and it gives us a look into what it’s actually like to be a scientist.” Later in July, Argonne welcomed 20 rising high school seniors and college freshmen to its Big Data Camp. This camp introduced students to data science, AI and ML and highlighted how these rapidly growing fields are transforming our approach to scientific inquiry. Under the mentorship of researchers from the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) — a DOE Office of Science user facility — the students built foundational skills for analyzing, visualizing and identifying patterns within scientific data. They worked with real datasets provided by Argonne scientists, exploring topics including grid resilience, battery materials and high energy physics. Campers also toured Argonne’s world-renowned supercomputing and visualization facilities, including the ALCF’s Aurora exascale supercomputer, one of the fastest computers in the world. “It’s especially important that we prepare students in areas like AI and energy, where innovation will shape our shared future,” Bruozas said. ​“I look forward to the impact these bright minds will have as they advance in STEM fields.” Expanding opportunities through DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program Argonne’s STEM initiatives are not standalone — they are part of a broader ecosystem of DOE-supported programs that translate STEM education into national benefits. Through DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program (VFP), for example, Argonne offers faculty from colleges across the region the opportunity to conduct research at the laboratory over the course of a summer. Through the VFP, professors with limited research opportunities at their home institutions can access Argonne’s cutting-edge research facilities and world-class pool of expertise. The program also strengthens the region’s STEM pipeline by allowing faculty to include their students in the experience. Soma Chattopadhyay, an assistant professor of engineering at Elgin Community College (ECC), completed her second VFP appointment at Argonne this summer. Chattopadhyay is working with Elena Shevchenko, a scientist at Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM), to determine the optical properties of nanocrystals for potential applications in solar cells, lasers and other optoelectronic devices. Using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy capabilities at the CNM — a DOE Office of Science user facility — Chattopadhyay is investigating small-scale phenomena within these nanocrystals, including processes that haven’t been reported before. Chattopadhyay was recently awarded the 2025 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. The award recognizes her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to student success. In her acceptance speech, Chattopadhyay cited her work at Argonne as a key factor in growing research opportunities for ECC students. “Without the VFP, I could not have restarted research, especially in an advanced field like nanotechnology. I’m extremely grateful for this program and the help I’ve received from Argonne scientists, engineers and technicians,” said Chattopadhyay, who included one of her students in her VFP research. She plans to carry her work at the CNM into this academic year and beyond. Chattopadhyay’s VFP experience was supported by DOE’s Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists. “My students have also benefitted a lot from the VFP and the connections I’ve made at Argonne,” she said. ​“Many more students attending community college can excel at research if they’re given the right opportunities.” Seasonal STEM program offers undergraduates real‑world research experience Argonne’s Seasonal Internship Program gives undergraduates a direct pathway into STEM careers, pairing them with Argonne experts to tackle hands‑on research projects. Applications for the multi-week 2026 Summer Internship Program are open now through Feb. 6. Students spend their first week developing a research plan with mentors and completing required safety training. In the weeks that follow, they develop projects with continued guidance, culminating in a final poster presentation. Participants also attend weekly seminars and tours focused on current science and engineering topics and career development. Ultimately, Argonne’s STEM programs share a common goal: to foster curiosity, confidence and technical skills in the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. Together, these programs demonstrate the laboratory’s commitment to empowering learners and bolstering the nation’s leadership in science and technology. About Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials The Center for Nanoscale Materials is one of the five DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers, premier national user facilities for interdisciplinary research at the nanoscale supported by the DOE Office of Science. Together the NSRCs comprise a suite of complementary facilities that provide researchers with state-of-the-art capabilities to fabricate, process, characterize and model nanoscale materials, and constitute the largest infrastructure investment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. The NSRCs are located at DOE’s Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley, Oak Ridge, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. For more information about the DOE NSRCs, please visit https://​sci​ence​.osti​.gov/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​-​a​t​-​a​-​G​lance. The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility provides supercomputing capabilities to the scientific and engineering community to advance fundamental discovery and understanding in a broad range of disciplines. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, the ALCF is one of two DOE Leadership Computing Facilities in the nation dedicated to open science. Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.