Application Materials

• An online application form 
• A recommendation form submitted by a teacher, school counselor, school administrator, or community member. The application asks for the contact information for your recommender, so the form can be emailed directly to that individual. The recommender cannot be a family member. 

Program Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen 
• Must be age 16 or older by July 5, 2025
  • Note: We understand that not all current 9th and 10th graders are eligible to apply given this age restriction. We encourage students to apply once they are at least 16 years old.  
• Must reside in or attend a public, private, charter, or homeschool in a designated Appalachian County
• Must plan to enroll in a public, private, charter, or homeschool in a designated Appalachian County for the 2025-2026 school year, or reside in such designated Appalachian County 
• Must be willing to follow all program and safety instruction 
• Must be able to participate in all program activities for the full program period, July 5-July 18, 2025 

About the Program

The Appalachian STEM Academy will allow 26 high school students to participate in collaborative research at ORNL, a world-class research facility. Working with mentors and facilitators, students will broaden their knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and expand their research skills. Students will be provided information on STEM careers and will be encouraged to pursue post-secondary educations, particularly in STEM fields.

In small teams of students, participants will conduct short-term research projects at ORNL and/or Pellissippi State Community College. The participants will also receive an introduction to engineering design and entrepreneurship through evening activities. In addition, they will have opportunities to attend a variety of cultural and recreational activities that enrich and celebrate their Appalachian heritage and extend the research and science activities outside the laboratory.