On Aug. 6, 2024, JUMP into STEM returned for a seventh year with three new challenges and more opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in building science.
August 28, 2024
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On Aug. 6, 2024, JUMP into STEM returned for a seventh year with three new challenges and more opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in building science. Teams of two to four students are invited to submit solutions to this year’s challenges by Nov. 8, 2024. More information about this year’s competition is below.
What is JUMP into STEM?
JUMP (Join the discussion, Unveil innovation, Make connections, Promote tech-to-market) into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is a collegiate building science competition for undergraduate and graduates students in a variety of academic fields to team up and propose solutions to some of the building sector’s biggest challenges. Teams with the most promising ideas win paid summer internships at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to develop their solutions further with top building scientists and industry leaders.
“My experience at the JUMP into STEM competition was educational in terms of solving the problems this world faces currently,” said Michael Murray, a student competitor in 2023–2024 representing North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. “It was also very beneficial career-wise because I was able to network with many experienced professionals. The whole competition, including the presentations and networking, was a little bit outside my comfort zone, but I learned that ‘productive discomfort’ is necessary to advance my career.”
The JUMP into STEM program seeks to attract students from a wide range of personal and academic backgrounds, not only because their unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and skills are essential to understanding the full range of building occupant behaviors and needs, but to enrich the capabilities of students so they innovate better solutions to longstanding challenges in the building sector. JUMP into STEM especially enables students from historically underrepresented communities in STEM, building sciences, and building sector workforces to thrive in building sector careers.
“JUMP into STEM provides unique access into the work of the national labs,” said Liane Hancock, student advisor with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “The access to directors from programs and leading scientists and engineers shows just how much the Department of Energy is dedicated to bringing young people who represent the fabric of this country to the forefront of cutting-edge research on building technology. No matter where you come from, you belong here!”
Hancock is a member of the Professor Team, which consists of faculty from colleges and universities who incorporate the competition into their curricula and offer students the opportunity to participate as part of their studies. Although many participants learn about JUMP into STEM in the classroom, independent student teams may apply without a Professor Team connection.
“JUMP into STEM provides a real-world opportunity for students to experience R&D and commercialization of affordable, attainable, and energy-efficient technologies designed to make real impacts in the market,” said Kim Trenbath, NREL’s JUMP into STEM lead. “Additionally, JUMP into STEM provides professional opportunities for professors to connect with DOE and its national laboratories. This year, professors have the opportunity to collaborate with the national laboratories through a professor track while attending the final competition at NREL."
Funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office, the competition also seeks sponsorships that make each year’s competition even more valuable for everyone involved.
“Investing in STEM education is key to growing qualified and future-ready leaders. Programs such as JUMP into STEM introduce students to rewarding and in-demand careers that will be an integral part of guiding our sustainable future,” said Julie Brandt, vice president and president of building solutions North America at Johnson Controls, a JUMP into STEM sponsor. “We look forward to seeing this partnership build the next generation of innovators.”
About the 2024-2025 JUMP into STEM Competition
This year’s challenge categories:
- Building Affordability
- No Peaking! Managing Peak Power Demand in Buildings
- Taking Comfort to the Extreme
Challenge-level winners and additional eligible teams will compete during the final competition held Jan. 30–31, 2025, at NREL. All challenge-level winners earn one-on-one mentorship from a building science professional. Eligible competition winners receive a paid 10-week summer internship at ORNL, NREL, or PNNL.
Students and professors interested in incorporating JUMP into STEM into their curriculum can learn more about the competition and review this year’s open challenges at jumpintostem.org, while potential sponsors can learn more here. Apply by Nov. 8, 2024!