SAGE Camp: Expanding opportunities in STEM for students

Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) aims to broaden gender diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields by connecting high school students with STEM professionals.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) joined six other Department of Energy laboratories (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory) in hosting an annual summer camp to introduce Northern California public high school students (age 14-17) from all backgrounds to the diverse STEM career opportunities available at national laboratories.

The third annual SAGE summer camp took offered a week packed with Laboratory tours, career talks, job shadowing, professional growth workshops, hands-on projects and bonding experiences. Based at the Livermore Valley Open Campus (LVOC), campers had the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of LLNL staff members.

Gianpaolo Carosi and Joanna Albala, co-leads of the LLNL SAGE program, shared their enthusiasm for this year’s camp.

“We are excited to have completed our third annual SAGE camp. After hosting day camps for the past two years, this was our first overnight camp — and it was an absolute success. It was wonderful to see the campers bond so quickly throughout the week,” Carosi said.

For some, it was their first overnight summer camp, and many appreciated the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

One camper described her time at SAGE: “I’m so glad I joined SAGE; I’ve had the best time learning about STEM with like-minded peers. Despite coming from different parts of Northern California, we've bonded over our shared interests. I’m so happy to be part of this community. I've made friendships for life.”

While some high schoolers already had a desire to pursue a career in STEM, others discovered their interest through the camp's activities.

“Participating in the various activities exposed me to new career possibilities. I found coding particularly enjoyable and even learned how to create a cool design for my own web page. Before SAGE, I didn’t know science could be so fun,” said another attendee.

Beyond the activities and hands-on projects, the campers also valued the exposure to STEM-related careers through the Lab tours, job shadowing and career talks.

“Being in a laboratory surrounded by driven and passionate STEM professionals is incredibly inspiring. This experience has been life-changing for me. Witnessing the diverse scientific fields at the Lab and learning the intricate processes of various roles has reaffirmed my love for science,” said one camper.

A standout moment for the campers was the career talks and professional growth workshops. Many felt inspired to discover that everyone has a unique journey and that futures can evolve in unexpected ways. Several speakers emphasized that their career paths were not always straightforward. They encouraged embracing curiosity, as it can open doors to fulfilling opportunities.

The Lab's inclusive environment was a key highlight, as one camper said: “I loved the career talks at SAGE. I used to feel anxious about choosing a career, but now I’m excited about the possibilities. The Lab's employees are incredibly passionate about their work. While not everyone works directly in science, many support it and work as a team. I aspire to be part of a team like that one day.”

The leaders of the SAGE program are dedicated to helping students expand their horizons and explore new possibilities for their futures. They achieve this by connecting students with a diverse array of laboratory professionals and providing valuable insights into what a career in STEM can entail.

“One of the most rewarding moments for me is hearing a camper express excitement about a subject and mention it as a potential major for their upcoming college journey. I look forward to the day when former SAGE campers join us as interns, postdocs and employees—and who knows, perhaps even as a future Lab director,” Carosi said.

For more on the national program, visit the SAGE website, or click here for more information on science education opportunities at LLNL.