Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)

Shaping the Future of Science

Spotlight

  • ORISE announces winners of its 2024 Future of Science Awards

    ORISE announces winners of its 2024 Future of Science Awards

    ORISE has announced the winners of its 2024 Future of Science Awards. These prestigious awards recognize excellence performed by ORISE program participants in the areas of scientific achievement, professional growth, project contributions and leadership in four categories: undergraduate student and post-baccalaureate, graduate student and post-master’s, postdoctoral, and mentor.

  • Sherry Painter is dedicated to getting students excited about science

    Sherry Painter leads an experiment with students on asthma, using spirometers to measure lung function.

    Sherry Painter brings a passion for outreach and engagement to her role as education project manager in STEM workforce development at ORISE. Her previous experience as a science community volunteer and chemistry professor/administrator also meshes well with her recruitment and project manager roles at ORISE.

  • International relations student translates data in reports on nuclear safety successes

    NNSA-MSIPP: Troy Alexander

    Troy Alexander is a current National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) participant. He is supporting the Office of International Nuclear Security (NA-211) at the NNSA.

  • Postdoctoral fellow at U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center wins 2024 ORISE Ignite Off! competition

    Pictured L to R: Jonathan Blutinger, Ph.D. (first place), Erik Head (second place), Christie Kim (third place), and Ashley Daniszewski, Ph.D. (fan favorite)

    Jonathan Blutinger, Ph.D., an ORISE postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, has been named the winner of the 2024 ORISE Ignite Off! competition. The annual ORISE Ignite Off! showcases the talents of interns and fellows from federal agencies and offices as they share their research through Ignite Talks. The winners were announced during a national viewing event on Aug. 28, 2024, during which the 10 finalists’ presentations were showcased.

ORISE News

Undergrads: Campus Conservationist Challenge

ORISE is hosting a research-based challenge for undergraduate students! The challenge is for students to develop a report in the style of your choice to educate others on your campus’s sustainability practices. Your report could win you a $5,000 scholarship! This competition ends December 4, 2024.

Undergraduate Scholarships

We grow by learning from others: Zachary Minchow-Proffitt on the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship

Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a member of the 2025 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship cohort. He is also the guest co-host for this cohort's series of ORISE Featurecast episodes focused on the AEF program. In this episode, Zak introduces himself and talks with host Michael Holtz about his career, how he became interested in teaching, what he hopes to gain from his AEF experience, and what he hopes to bring to the table as podcast co-host.

ORISE Featurecast

K-12 Students: Seasonal Phenomena Student Challenge

CALLING ALL STUDENTS!!

Have you ever wondered why the leaves change color in the fall, why the days are longer in the summer, or how snowflakes form in the winter? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to figure it out! We are asking that you create a 2–3-minute original presentation that creatively explains or demonstrates a seasonal phenomenon of your choice. Eight prizes will be awarded with two winners per grade band— two for K-2nd, two for 3rd-5th, two for 6th-8th, and two for 9th-12th.

See the Competitions for Students page for more information. This competition ends December 4, 2024.

STEM Competitions for K-12 Students