The Appalachian STEM Academy is an immersive, hands-on summer STEM program hosted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Open to middle school students, high school students, and teachers across the 13 Appalachian states, this competitive program gives participants the chance to work directly with award-winning scientists and experience real-world research environments.

Program Dates:

• Middle School Students: July 11–17 or July 18–24, 2025
• High School Students & Teachers: July 11–24, 2025

Cost: Completely free. Housing, meals, travel, learning materials, and excursion tickets are all covered.

Program Highlights:

• Learn: Collaborate with top scientists and develop authentic scientific experiments.
• Explore: Enjoy weekend trips to Dollywood, hiking adventures such as Clingman’s Dome, and other regional excursions.
• Make Friends: Connect with peers from across Appalachia and join a long-running community of STEM scholars.
• Experience STEM at a National Lab: Work inside ORNL, one of the world’s premier research facilities.

How to Apply:
Submit your application at ARC.gov/STEM.

Deadline:
December 3, 2025 (subject to available funding)

This is a standout opportunity for motivated students and teachers seeking an unforgettable STEM learning experience and a chance to represent their Appalachian community in a nationally recognized program.