Is there a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils on your desk this time of year? Are you passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) but find your experiences limited? This STEMtember, the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has your back! As many of us find ourselves still working and learning virtually, we are looking for ways to experience STEM in new ways. GTO has compiled a list of resources for you and your family to dig into without leaving your sofa!
Understanding renewable energy technologies is a must for today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to future generations to help shape clean energy innovations, and that starts now. Here at GTO, we are energizing the next generation of STEM students and professionals by expanding our STEM development activities and easing access to new ideas that drive change.
GTO has compiled a one-stop-shop for virtual STEM resources developed by DOE, national laboratories, and geothermal organizations. Watch videos on geothermal technologies, find STEM online learning resources for students and teachers, and tour the national laboratories right from your sofa! Located across the country, DOE national laboratories offer virtual tours of their world-class science and research facilities, giving you front row access to the work they do on behalf of the nation. Listen in on conversations with experts and find out about their efforts to break through the boundaries of innovation and scientific knowledge.
With geothermal, there is always something neat to see. These videos are intended to spark curiosity and inspire students passionate about STEM by connecting them to DOE scientists and researchers. Hone your knowledge of STEM and watch videos on geothermal technologies.
Energy 101: Geothermal Energy
Watch and learn how geothermal energy can generate clean, renewable electricity in three different ways. Learn more
How Geothermal Power Plants Produce Electricity
Still curious about how geothermal electricity is produced? Watch Utah FORGE’s STEM outreach videos that show how different types of geothermal power plants produce electricity. Learn more
Energy 101: Geothermal Heat Pumps
Watch and learn more about how geothermal heat pumps work and how they can save you energy in your home. Learn more
Rock Fracture Monitoring Tool
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a new instrument to help scientists identify ways to improve enhanced geothermal systems technologies for better access to clean energy. Watch how the tool monitors rock fractures and how fluid flows through subsurface rock. Learn more
Pressure Control System
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Pressure Control System to see how geothermal technologies are used in real life. Learn more
Hydraulic Fracturing System
Get an in-depth look at Sandia Laboratories’ hydraulic fracturing system and learn how it works! Learn more
Electrical Resistance Tomography for Imaging Fluid Flow in Rocks
Watch how PNNL is using their geothermal technology to inject fluids and understand how fractures are generated. Learn more
Coordination of Underground Field Activities and Seismic Imaging
Watch and learn more about what it takes to be a field coordinator and task lead of a hydraulic stimulation project. Learn more
Hydraulic Fracturing and State of Stress
Watch and learn more about the enhanced geothermal systems hydraulic fracturing work to connect wells at PNNL. Learn more
What is EGS Collab - The Drift
What is the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) Collab? What is SIGMA-V? Tim Kneafsey, a staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, simplifies breaks down the science behind the acronyms on The Drift by Sanford Lab. Learn more
What is a National Lab Scientist - The Drift
What is a national lab scientist? Hunter Knox, a research scientist at PNNL, tells us what a scientist at a national laboratory does... and why it matters! Learn more
Experience a virtual road trip to your favorite national laboratory without leaving your home. GTO is passionate about supporting STEM education and promoting activities and programming created by world-class research facilities to inspire and energize the future workforce. Explore the national laboratories through virtual tours; you can visit them all right from your couch!
Below find a selection of available tours or see a comprehensive list of virtual tours, compiled by our friends at STEM Rising, that show all the national laboratories have to offer! Learn more
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Check out Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Summer Sundays 2021 Virtual Tour featuring speakers from a variety of career perspectives, professional experiences, and scientific interests. Learn more
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley Lab is offering virtual tours of its facilities to the public. These are pre-scheduled, live, interactive, hour-long sessions presented by lab staff and scientists. Participants will learn about the lab’s fascinating history, ground-breaking discoveries, and contributions to COVID-19- related research. The next tours are Friday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT and Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. PDT. Learn more
Watch an exclusive Facebook live tour of the Rock Dynamics and Imaging Lab with scientist Dr. Timothy Kneafsey.
Long Baseline Neutrino Facility
Take an interactive virtual tour and visit the underground DUNE caverns in South Dakota! Learn more
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Register for a virtual tour of NREL’s campus here. The Golden campus is 327 acres, and the Flatirons campus is 305 acres. Tours are led by NREL staff and typically held the second Friday and the third Monday of each month from 10-11:30am MT.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility
The Manufacturing Demonstration Facility is one of DOE’s designated user facilities focused on performing early-stage research and development to improve the energy and material efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of American manufacturers. Learn more
Sanford Underground Virtual Neutrino Day 2021
Explore interactive activities and science demonstrations and take virtual tours of the underground. Learn more
The Drift from Sanford Lab
“The Drift” series gives researchers a chance to answer your questions about Sanford Lab science; all while they work from home. Learn more
DOE prioritizes supporting students through STEM programs in education. The Department offers volunteer opportunities for high school students, internships and mentorships for college students, and employment opportunities for recent graduates. See the opportunities below.
GTO Employment Opportunities
When new GTO positions become available, they will be posted on the GTO Job Opportunities webpage. Learn more
EERE Employment Opportunities
Visit the Employment Opportunities at EERE webpage to learn more about STEM Direct Hiring Opportunities across EERE. Learn more
DOE Internship Opportunities
DOE offers several internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more
DOE Volunteer Opportunities
EERE offers student volunteer internships throughout the year. Learn more
GTO is committed to supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education through collaborative partnerships. Get connected with other DOE STEM resources and explore these “STEM at home” educational resources, activities, and materials from GTO Partners.
National Laboratories
The national laboratories are committed to advancing STEM in our nation’s schools. The nation’s 17 labs each offer STEM materials and resources. Learn more
DOE STEM
DOE STEM brings together all that DOE has to offer for the training, education, and engagement of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to students, educators, professionals, and skilled workers. Visit the DOE STEM website to learn more.
DOE is also preparing the diverse STEM-skilled workforce needed to deliver on the DOE mission to advance science and innovation and the energy, and offers informational STEM resources related to mission areas. Discover openly available workshops or course-based training, navigate to career exploration maps, explore scientific and technical data repositories, and more.
FORGE
To inform and educate teachers, students, and the public about geothermal energy, GTO has partnered with our colleagues at Utah FORGE and the University of Utah College of Education to create a curriculum that can be used in K-12 classrooms. Learn more
Find geothermal resource material and turn your STEM passion into your profession. Gain knowledge to help you succeed in the geothermal industry.
GTO’s Geothermal Teacher Guide for Grades 9-12
This three-part guide encourages a multidisciplinary approach to many issues and topics related to geothermal power development, including the scientific fundamentals as well as the social, economic, environmental, and political aspects. Learn more
Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop Toolkit
This geothermal toolkit is a suite of tools to facilitate efficient permitting of new geothermal, solar, and transmission projects at the federal, state, and local levels. Learn more
National Geothermal Data System
This portal houses a collection of nationwide geothermal data for widespread public use of geothermal energy development. Learn more