BEST (Broad Exposure to Science and Technology) Program
Marcela Mireles teaching BEST Program student about material science at East High School.
The BEST Program is a six-week program held at the Rochester’s East High School that engages underrepresented high school students and their teachers in hands-on science and technology experiences that inspires students to consider STEM careers. Over the summer, students and teachers from several high schools in the Rochester City School District (RCSD) immersed themselves in various scientific disciplines, including optics, lasers, and high-energy-density physics. These experiences not only enhance their understanding of complex scientific concepts, but also foster teamwork and collaboration.
Activities included:
- Laser Interferometer Construction: Students build laser interferometers in the classroom to study the properties of light, record holographic images, and fabricate diffraction gratings.
- Optical Experiments: Participants observe multicolor diffracted orders by using diffraction gratings with white-light sources, allowing them to understand how gratings and spectrometers work.
- Theoretical Physics and Computation: During visits to LLE, students are introduced to theoretical physics concepts and computer code development, with examples provided by theoretical physicists.
- Tours of Facilities: Participants tour the Omega Laser Facility, optical manufacturing facilities, and other support laboratories at LLE, as well as optics and imaging-related departments at local colleges.
- Hands-on Technology Projects: Students engage in activities such as practicing microsoldering techniques, exploring circuit board technologies, and building electric vehicles equipped with optical sensors.
- Magnetism and Electromagnetic Waves: LLE mentors share real-world applications of magnetism and the fundamentals of electromagnetic motors, linking these concepts to fusion science.
- Outreach Presentations: At the end of the program, students present their progress and areas of interest to family and friends, increasing awareness of LLE and its educational initiatives.
The BEST Program emphasizes the importance of mentorship, with over 30 LLE volunteers dedicating their time to guide students and teachers through interactive demonstrations and lab work. This exposure to real-world applications of science and technology equips participants with valuable skills and knowledge that they can bring back to their classrooms.
In addition to the hands-on learning, the program provides a paid learning opportunity, further encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM fields. By serving as ambassadors for outreach within their schools, participants help raise awareness of the exciting possibilities in science and technology, paving the way for future generations to explore and innovate in these critical areas.
Interested in participating? Contact our BEST coordinator.
Summer High School Research Program
Seung-Whan Bahk working with a high school student in the Fiber Development lab at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
Congratulations to the students in the 35th summer high school research program! Seventeen students from 15 Rochester-area high schools just completed the full-time, eight-week program with LLE’s scientists and engineers, gaining their first experience of real scientific research. The program culminated in a symposium where they presented their research findings to an audience of parents, teachers, and LLE employees.
The symposium featured presentations on:
- An Improved OMEGA Statistical Model for Fusion Experiments
- Characterizing Nanoscale Roughness of Hafnia and Silica Thin-Film Coatings
- Evolutionary Optimization of Target Designs to Enhance the Predicted Ignition Metric on OMEGA
- Quantitative Analysis of Digital Film Scanning Techniques
- Developing Reflectivity Standards for High-Energy-Density Applications
- Injection Throttle Transmission on the OMEGA EP Laser
- Defocused Beams for Cryogenic Target Implosions on OMEGA
- Development of Waterproof Protective Optical Coatings for Laser Glass in Actively Cooled Disk Amplifiers
- Measurement of Palladium Hydride Isotherms at Cryogenic Temperatures
- Use of ChemCrow in Predicting the Optical Properties of Liquid Crystals
- Double-Plate Lateral Shearing Interferometer for a Short-Coherence-Length Laser Source
- Non-Classical Heat Conduction in Laser-Produced Plasmas
- Measurement of Nonlinear Refractive Index in Laser Materials
- Exploration of Better and Safer Solvents for Cleaning KDP Crystals Using Solubility Parameter Theory
- Extracting Implosion Velocity and Compression from X-Ray Self-Emission Images in Direct-Drive Inertial Confinement Fusion
- Development of Laser Beam Configurations for Gold-Shell Targets at the National Ignition Facility
- Implementation Feasibility Study of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) Sensors as Replacements for Charge-Injection–Device (CID)-Based X-Ray Pinhole Cameras in OMEGA Laser Systems
To date, total of 448 high school students have participated in the program.
Want to learn more? Contact our High School Research Program coordinator.
