As a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory, PNNL helps carry DOE’s commitment to train, support, and inspire scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Collectively, the national laboratories train and educate more than 250,000 K–12 students and 22,000 K–12 educators, and 8,600 undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers annually, providing a tremendous boost to the nation’s resources in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

PNNL’s Office of STEM Education executes this with a variety of community partners throughout the Northwest. Opportunities for students, educators, and the community include exploration of, and excitement for, the sciences via career-focused, hands-on STEM learning experiences. Efforts include coordination of the region’s participation in the DOE National Science Bowl^®, computing science education and outreach, educator development, and research immersion experiences—such as teacher-scientist partnerships. Ongoing collaboration with regional partners, including school districts, higher education institutions, and other STEM partners, make these activities possible.

Recent efforts include the STEM Ambassadors @ PNNL initiative—a development program that equips PNNL researchers with communication tools and resources for sharing their passion for science with the K–12 community. The initiative includes computing education summer programs for grades 7–12 students and teachers.

The laboratory’s STEM efforts align with the DOE’s Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists mission to engage in a broad range of activities with K–12 STEM educators and students. These activities support a diverse workforce that is well prepared and able to meet the growing demand for STEM skills across the nation.