High School STEM Days

Grades

All high school grades (9-12), though programs like Experiences in Research require grades 10-12

Age

No specific age requirement for STEM Days; however, Experiences in Research internship requires students to be at least 16 by June 15

Citizenship

Must be enrolled in public schools in Alameda or West Contra Costa counties (currently invite-only, limited to East Bay area)

Prerequisites

Must attend a public high school in eligible districts. For related opportunities like Experiences in Research, active participation in STEM activities/classes and GPA of 3.0+ encouraged

Steps

1. Program is currently invite-only; educators from eligible school districts receive invitations
2. Schools/teachers nominate or register interested students
3. Students attend scheduled monthly STEM Day events (no formal application required for attendance)
4. To participate in related paid opportunities (Experiences in Research), students must submit separate application through Kaleidoscope system including essays and teacher recommendations

Materials Needed

• For STEM Days attendance: school enrollment verification, transportation to Berkeley Lab
• For related internship programs: completed online application, personal essays explaining STEM interests and career goals, project selection (for Experiences in Research), two teacher recommendations, proof of Northern California residency

Timeline

STEM Days occur monthly year-round. Related programs have specific deadlines: Experiences in Research typically closes in February/March with decisions by early May. Spring workshops focus on applications for summer DOE programs (QCaMP, IPMLDS). Students should join newsletter for updates on public opening dates and program availability

Cost

Free to attend STEM Days. Related paid internships (Experiences in Research) provide $500/week stipend. Other programs like QCaMP and SeA are also free or paid

What Judges Look For

• Active engagement in STEM activities and coursework
• Strong academic performance (GPA 3.0+)
• Genuine interest in STEM careers and research
• Demonstrated initiative and independent work skills
• Clear articulation of why student is best fit for specific projects/areas
• Geographic proximity to Berkeley Lab (within 30 miles preferred)
• Ability to commit full-time during program (30 hours/week for internships)
• Collaboration and teamwork potential
• Communication skills for interacting with scientists

Scoring

While specific rubric not publicly detailed, Berkeley Lab emphasizes that only ~10% of applicants are accepted to paid internships (Experiences in Research). Selection is holistic, reviewing all applicants thoroughly. Essays must explain project fit specifically. Recommendations from teachers carry significant weight

Common Mistakes

• Emailing project mentors directly (automatic disqualification from Experiences in Research)
• Missing application deadline (no extensions granted due to high volume)
• Applying while unable to commit to full 30 hours/week (conflicts with other internships, jobs, vacations prohibited)
• Generic applications not showing specific interest in particular projects
• Not securing recommendations within one-week deadline
• Being family member of Berkeley Lab staff without seeking external opportunities (discouraged)
• Living outside Northern California or unable to commute regularly
• Failing to attend mandatory in-person orientation and closing ceremonies

Acceptance Rate

~10% for paid internship opportunities (Experiences in Research); STEM Days attendance varies by school nomination

Applicants

High volume of applications received annually for internship programs; specific numbers not publicly disclosed

Winners / Selected

STEM Days: varies by month (small group sizes). Experiences in Research: approximately 10-15 interns per summer based on project availability

• Get on Berkeley Lab's student newsletter immediately to learn when invite-only programs open to public applications
• Have your school's educators nominate you for STEM Days; build relationships with teachers who work with Berkeley Lab
• Attend STEM Days events to build connections with Berkeley Lab staff and learn about internship opportunities directly
• For internship applications, research specific projects beforehand and tailor essays to explain why you're perfect fit for 2-3 top choices
• Secure teacher recommendations early (they have one-week deadline after application closes) from teachers who know your STEM work well
• Highlight any independent research, science fair participation, coding projects, or hands-on STEM leadership
• Emphasize your ability to commit fully (30 hours/week) with no conflicts
• Prepare to discuss how this experience fits your STEM career pathway and long-term goals
• Attend in-person if possible to demonstrate commitment and geographic feasibility
• Don't wait until last minute—applications close with hard deadlines and no extensions
• Consider participating in multiple Berkeley Lab programs to build your profile (SeA spring camp → STEM Days → Experiences in Research internship pathway)
• Focus on math/science GPA if overall GPA below 3.0; show upward trend
• Demonstrate both technical skills and soft skills (communication, teamwork, initiative)

How to Prepare

• Join Berkeley Lab's student newsletter and follow their K-12 education program updates
• Participate in high school science clubs, robotics teams, or coding clubs to demonstrate STEM engagement
• Take honors/AP courses in STEM subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biology)
• Engage in independent STEM projects or research (science fair, personal coding projects, online courses)
• Build relationships with STEM teachers who can write strong recommendations
• Research Berkeley Lab's research areas and STEM focus areas to align interests
• Practice articulating your STEM interests and career goals in writing
• Learn about different STEM career pathways (research science, engineering, data science, administration, communications)
• Attend STEM Days events if you can get invited to understand program and network
• Apply to preparatory programs like BLDAP or SeA spring break program as stepping stones
• Develop technical skills through online courses (MIT OpenCourseWare, Coursera, Khan Academy)
• Prepare to discuss specific projects/mentors from project booklet during interviews
• Maintain strong GPA throughout high school, especially junior year

Resources

• Berkeley Lab K-12 Education Programs website: k12education.lbl.gov
• Berkeley Lab student newsletter signup page
• Kaleidoscope application system: apply.mykaleidoscope.com
• UC Berkeley Lawrence Hall of Science programs (related opportunities)
• Khan Academy STEM courses (free online learning)
• MIT OpenCourseWare (free college-level STEM courses)
• Project-based STEM websites: Coursera, edX, CodeAcademy
• Science Olympiad and robotics competitions for experience
• Local Bay Area science museums and research centers for networking
• Department of Energy (DOE) career exploration resources
• Science fair participation and science journals for research experience

Time Needed

Minimum 6-12 months advance preparation recommended. Start building STEM engagement and GPA early in high school (freshman year ideal). For application cycle: 2-3 months to prepare strong essays and secure recommendations. STEM Days events can be attended with minimal prep. Summer internship preparation typically begins in fall of prior year (October-November) with application deadline February-March

Successful applicants typically have: GPA 3.0+, demonstrated leadership in science clubs/robotics/coding competitions, strong performance in AP/honors STEM courses, previous research or project experience, clear articulation of STEM interests, teacher recommendations praising both academic ability and work ethic, geographic proximity to Berkeley Lab (East Bay residents), and genuine enthusiasm for cutting-edge science. Many have participated in preliminary programs like BLDAP or SAGE before securing internship spots. Winners show independence and ownership of their learning, not just classroom success

High School STEM Days and related Berkeley Lab programs carry significant prestige in college admissions, particularly for students applying to STEM programs at top universities. Participation demonstrates authentic engagement with cutting-edge research and access to world-class scientists. Paid internships (Experiences in Research) are especially valuable—students can cite $500/week compensation as evidence of external validation and genuine research contribution. National laboratory experience distinguishes applications from other high school enrichment. Most impressive to admissions officers: (1) direct mentorship from Ph.D. scientists, (2) paid internship status, (3) work on real research projects, (4) networking with STEM professionals. However, impact is strongest when student can articulate specific learning outcomes and contributions. Local-only accessibility means less competitive nationally but highly regarded in California and Bay Area contexts. UC Berkeley, Stanford, and top tech schools view Berkeley Lab programs favorably. For STEM careers, this experience is particularly valuable. Note: STEM Days attendance is less impressive on apps than paid internships, but still shows initiative in seeking enrichment

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