Science Education
Sparking a Love for Science
LVOC’s open and unclassified environment is ideal for science education and outreach activities. The ability to bring diverse groups of students, educators, and life-long learners to campus is vital in increasing access to world-changing science and technology. From exciting summer camps to free workshops for teachers, LVOC hosts science education activities sure to inspire current and future generations.
Sited on LVOC, the Discovery Center provides visitors with a window into our science and technology through engaging demonstrations, games, and displays. Exhibits are designed to excite the next generation of researchers about new innovations and the work that we do at the Laboratory. The Discovery Center is open noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and is closed on major holidays.
Education Programs
Fun with Science
The Discovery Center offers free Fun with Science field trips to 5th grade students from local elementary schools. Fun with Science field trips introduce students to the science behind the National Ignition Facility, the world’s largest and most energetic laser system. Students will learn about the concepts of light, lasers, optics, and physics through demos, hands-on activities, and science displays.
Teacher Research Academy
For more than 20 years, LLNL has offered the Teacher Research Academy (TRA) program to middle school, high school, and community college teachers looking for unique professional development experiences. At no cost to educators, TRA workshops enhance curricula with the latest advancements in science and technology.
SAGE
Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) is a free one-week summer camp headquartered at LVOC for public high school students from all backgrounds. Hosted by professional scientists and engineers with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), SAGE builds community, fosters innovation, and sets students on a path to exciting careers.
STEM with Phones
Smartphones are a powerful educational tool and a low-cost complement to traditional physics teaching methods to reinforce students’ interest in learning. Hands-on workshops at LVOC make physics experiments more engaging with built-in phone sensors so students and teachers can attach real-world experiences to abstract concepts.
Class Visits
See more of LVOC on one of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s planned tours. High school teachers are invited to bring their class for an onsite or virtual visit to several premier facilities, including the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC), and the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML).
Public Tours
Public tours coming soon, check back for more information.
Partnering with Us
Potential collaborators come to LVOC with different challenges, capabilities, and resources. We tailor engagements to help meet your needs. If you have a big idea that could benefit from national laboratory expertise, we’d like to hear from you. Connect with us to explore opportunities for collaborations or plan a visit to the campus.