The ORNL Experience

ORNL's unique experience includes the following activities:

Orientation. Separate orientations are conducted the weekend before appointments start and on the first day.

Seminar Series. A mandatory seminar is held each week to provide you with a broad overview of the types of research being conducted at ORNL. Past topics have included Computational Sciences at ORNL, Biological Sciences at ORNL, Environmental Sciences at ORNL, Materials Science at ORNL, the Spallation Neutron Source, and Ethics in Scientific Research.

Brown Bag Luncheons. Optional sessions are held on-site on topics of interest. Past topics have included Recreational Activities in the Oak Ridge Area, Gender Bias in Science, Applying for an NSF Graduate Fellowship, Taking the GREs, Meet the Laboratory Director, Writing an Abstract, and Preparing a Poster.

Workshops. Optional workshops are held off-site. Past topics have included Learn about the Oak Ridge Complex and Financial Facts for Students.

Summer Picnic. All students are invited to a free picnic at an area park.

Poster Session. All students present a poster of their research at the end of the term. Mentors and other ORNL staff attend.

Mentors. Your research will be guided by an ORNL scientist. Your mentor fully understands that you are a student and are coming to the Laboratory for a learning experience. You will not be expected to know everything before you arrive. So even if you have had limited research experience and limited coursework, the fact that you have been selected means that your mentor is prepared to guide you through your research project.