Employee Engagement
K-12 STEM Education
Everyone at The Idaho National Laboratory contributes to our mission to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions and critical infrastructure. That means every career at INL is a STEM career, whether you are in a traditional STEM role or a STEM-adjacent or STEM-supporting position. The goal of INL’s K-12 Education Program is to help students build their STEM identity, allowing them to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, technicians and operators, and preparing them for careers at the laboratory.
Ways to Volunteer
STEM Ambassadors
STEM Ambassadors are vital to expanding INL’s reach to students throughout the state. They bring their vast science, technology, engineering and math experience to schools and events across the state. These volunteer STEM experts can serve as judges, mentors, speakers and more.
Our website provides a portal for INL employees to get engaged and our team pair STEM mentors and volunteers with students and events for the most impact. The K-12 Education outreach programs at INL positively impact students and allow INL to set a foundation of STEM early in children’s lives. As a STEM Ambassador, you will be a part of this amazing educational journey.
STEM Special Forces
Are you passionate about your STEM career? Are you excited to share that passion with Idaho students? You may be perfect for our new STEM Special Forces program. We want to inspire students to be creative problem solvers and pursue careers in STEM fields, and we want you to be part of it.
STEM Special Forces builds on the success of the STEM Ambassadors program to develop a new team of dedicated specialists with increased resources, funding and support. As a member of the STEM Special Forces, you and a partner will form a team of expert ambassadors to represent the lab at strategic outreach events, connect with students and help them build their STEM identity.
STEM Ambassadors
→ Expand INL’s reach to students statewide→ Share STEM expertise at schools/events
→ Build STEM identity in students
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Open to any INL staff member
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Volunteer as judges, mentors, speakers, and more at K-12 STEM events in schools or the community
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Includes 1 hour STEM Ambassador training
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Event pairing and lesson plans/materials provided
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Volunteer-based
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Individual volunteers
Ambassadors should be in STEM, STEM-adjacent, or STEM-supporting roles.
STEM Special Forces
→ Inspire students as creative problem solvers→ Strategic outreach with increased resources
→ Build STEM identity in students
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Selected team of dedicated specialists
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Represent INL at strategic events
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Two days of dedicated STEM curriculum & education training
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Support for developing career related materials/displays
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Funding support for up to 30 hours of education & outreach activities
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Volunteer as teams of 2-3
STEM Special Forces recruitment is open each spring and fall.