Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)

Shaping the Future of Science

Spotlight

  • STEM Diversity Summit: Career Connections to Federal Internships and Fellowships

    STEM Diversity Summit

    Join us on Nov. 7 for the ORISE STEM Diversity Summit: Career Connections to Federal Internships and Fellowships, an event designed to cultivate diverse talent in STEM. This summit promises to be a continued catalyst for change, offering invaluable insight into federal opportunities and fostering diversity in STEM. Explore a series of inclusive presentations, including former ORISE participants who are committed to diversifying the future of STEM.

  • Imposter syndrome: What is it and five ways to overcome it

    Illustration of imposter syndrome or someone appearing to hide behind a mask

    Have you ever felt as if you didn’t deserve your professional or academic achievements? Those feelings of inadequacy are quite common. Imposter syndrome is the perception that you don't really belong, or that you are a fraud in your current environment. Learn about imposter syndrome, how it often originates in young people, how it manifests psychologically and emotionally, and how to overcome it.

  • Mathematician’s research aims to secure clean energy for society

    NNSA-MSIIP: Luis Caicedo Torres

    Luis Caicedo Torres, Ph.D., is an ORISE National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) fellow with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division. Through his research, Caicedo Torres hopes to leverage tools from mathematics to create a world with sustainable energy for everyday uses.

  • 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