Oak Ridge National Lab HERE Program

The **Oak Ridge National Lab HERE Program** offers high school students a structured introduction to real-world engineering research at a major national laboratory. Participants work alongside **scientists and engineers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)**, gaining exposure to current research methods, laboratory practices, and the process of designing and testing engineering solutions. Students may contribute to ongoing projects, attend research discussions, and learn how multidisciplinary teams tackle complex technical problems. This program is well suited for students who are: - Interested in **STEM fields**, especially engineering and applied sciences - Motivated to explore research beyond the classroom - Comfortable working in a professional, research-focused environment Participation in the HERE Program can strengthen a student’s **college applications** by demonstrating sustained interest in engineering, familiarity with research settings, and experience collaborating with professionals. Students gain practical skills such as technical communication, data interpretation, and project documentation, which are valuable in both college-level coursework and future internships. Applicants should review the ORNL website for current eligibility criteria, application procedures, and details about available research areas.