Cynthia Jenks discusses a unique method of creating templates at the micronscale level to make 3-D multilayered photonic crystals.

"It was a great chance for students to see the opportunities available at DOE labs,” says Cynthia Jenks about the DOE Day of Science, held Oct. 28-29 at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Jenks, a scientist in the Lab’s Materials Chemistry and Biomolecular Materials program, staffed Ames Laboratory’s booth at the annual symposium for high-potential science students and university faculty sponsored by the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

With the average age of a DOE worker being 50, the Department is facing a potential crisis in filling positions at its national laboratories as many of its longtime workers near retirement. The Day of Science represents a significant outreach opportunity for the DOE to entice students interested in science careers to investigate the possibilities at its national laboratories.

The Day of Science drew approximately 1,400 students from 125 colleges and universities. A third of the schools represented were historically black colleges and universities. Jenks shared information with visitors to the Lab’s display about several of our research efforts, including photonic crystals, metamaterials, quasicrystals, lead-free solder, nanosphere catalysts for biodiesel production, and Raman screening for better biofuel crops.

“Many of the students had biorelated interests, and several wanted to know about Ames Laboratory internships,” she says. “I talked for the entire time. It was a terrific experience.”