LLE’s Broad Exposure to Science and Technology (BEST) High School Program marked its fifth year this past summer 2025. Designed to provide students and teachers from the Rochester City School District (RCSD) with hands-on exposure to STEM fields, BEST aligns with LLE’s mission of inspiring and educating the next generation of innovators.
Through interactive lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and mentorship, participants explore diverse topics such as optics, plasma physics, spectroscopy, coding, electronics, and technical communication. Over the course of the program—typically six weeks, although 2025 was four—students engage with a new topic each day, culminating in presentations that showcase their learning and its connection to LLE’s science, technology, and engineering.
Since its inception in 2020, BEST has welcomed students and teachers from nine RCSD high schools, with a growing focus on reaching younger students at pivotal stages of career exploration. Participants are selected based on teacher recommendations and their demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM. For many, BEST serves as their first exposure to advanced STEM topics, sparking new aspirations and opening doors to futures they may not have previously imagined. BEST program alumni frequently credit the program as a launchpad for their academic and career journeys, with some pursuing studies at the University of Rochester and beyond.
A cornerstone of BEST is its emphasis on collaboration. By highlighting the wide range of roles required to operate LLE, the program demonstrates how interdisciplinary teamwork drives innovation. Above all, BEST fosters curiosity, encourages questions, and creates lasting connections between students, mentors, and peers.
Mentorship is central to BEST’s success, and in 2025, over 25 LLE mentors from various divisions contributed their expertise, engaging students with hands-on demos and career insights. Many mentors return year after year, finding fulfillment in inspiring the next generation. In addition to technical knowledge, BEST offers paid learning opportunities, skill development, networking, and college preparation. Students gain confidence by tackling advanced topics and developing problem-solving skills. Teachers also benefit, gaining real-world insights and connections to enrich their own STEM curricula.
Programs like BEST strengthen community ties, foster workforce development, and expand access to STEM opportunities. By reaching students who may not have otherwise encountered LLE, BEST opens doors to new possibilities—whether sparking curiosity or deepening existing interests. The program’s impact is clear: it equips participants with tools, knowledge, and experiences that shape their futures and strengthens the connection between LLE and the community it serves.
Looking ahead, BEST aims to expand its reach through year-round collaborations with RCSD, bringing STEM experiences to even more students. By inspiring curiosity and confidence, BEST continues to build a diverse and robust STEM talent pipeline.
To learn more about the BEST program, please visit our website!