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Challenge: Tomorrow

Bringing Science to Communities

Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists Through Hands-On Learning Experiences.

Challenge: Tomorrow is an innovative mobile STEM outreach initiative created by Los Alamos National Laboratory in partnership with the Bradbury Science Museum. Designed to spark curiosity and inspire future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, this traveling experience brings hands-on exhibits and real world science directly to students and communities across New Mexico

Challenge Tomorrow Feature

The program features two traveling trailers that highlight the Lab’s research and work environments in a safe, immersive way. Students participate in activities led by friendly Laboratory staff on topics like outer space, material science, bioscience and more. These experiences allow kids to interact with real tools and equipment, and to explore jobs that exist right here in New Mexico. This program is sponsored by LANL’s Community Partnerships Office and is free of charge to schools. 

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Because this is a free service designed to support schools and communities, we kindly ask for your partnership in making each visit successful. This includes responding promptly to our communications and making reasonable accommodations to support the visit.

We do our best to serve as many schools as possible, but please understand that our schedule fills quickly and we may not be able to adjust bookings on short notice. We encourage all schools to request a visit early and to remain flexible when scheduling. 

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Meet Mission Ops!

This trailer showcases just some careers at the Lab. These careers are vital to the success of our Laboratory. Learn more about how the Lab uses glove boxes to the work being done in radiation protection.

  • Health

    The Health section focuses on the concept of growing cell cultures in a clean and safe environment. Kids get to use micropipettes to “grow” cells in a fume hood.

  • Detect to Protect

    Detect to Protect is all about radiation protection and the distinction between naturally occurring radiation and dangerous levels of radiation. Kids get to use old geiger counters and other radiation detectors to measure the amounts of radiation in different materials (all non-dangerous amounts).

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    The PPE section focuses on how Lab employees (and everyday people) protect themselves from hazardous substances or work environments. Kids get to try on a variety of PPE, including different types of gloves, bunny suits, bump caps, and safety glasses.

  • Glove Box

    The Glove Box simulates how we work with radioactive or other dangerous materials here at the Lab. Kids get to put their hands in the gloves and attempt to manipulate small items with tools, such as taking a bolt and screw apart.

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Meet Discovery!

Learn about the science-focused work the Lab does in the health, space, materials science, and earth science fields! The science in this trailer is just a small portion of the Lab’s amazing scientific contributions to the world.

  • Health

    The Health section is focused on biology and fighting diseases. Kids get to use micropipettes, centrifuges, and vortex mixers.

  • Space

    The Space section focuses on the Lab’s research and contributions to the Mars Rover as well as asteroid deflection programs. Kids get to use a joystick computer model to explore the surface of Mars, watch videos of the Rover landing, and examine the model Supercam that helps us take pictures on Mars.

  • Materials

    The Materials section has a dual focus on radioactivity and nanotechnology. Kids get to explore the difference between sugar and salt crystals using a handheld microscope, as well as things like onion skin, and various knit materials.

  • Earth Science

    The Earth Science section focuses on the Lab’s work on the Pajarito Plateau and beyond.

Impact and Reach

Student Engagement

Challenge Tomorrow Student Big

Since its inception in late 2020, the Challenge: Tomorrow trailers have reached over 8,000 students across the state, bringing hands-on experiences directly to communities. Thanks to the support of Los Alamos National Laboratory, the trailers have had the honor of serving schools in both rural and urban areas, creating access to inspiring, high-quality learning opportunities regardless of location. This program is an effort to ignite curiosity, spark new ideas, and encourage the next generation of curious minds. The program is appropriate for all ages, but has a special focus on middle school students grades 6-8.

Community Events

Challenge Tomorrow Card Chamberfest

Los Alamos ChamberFest

June 7th

Challenge Tomorrow Card Sciencefest

ScienceFest

July 21st

Challenge Tomorrow Card Harvest

Los Luceros Fall Festival

September 21st

Challenge Tomorrow Card Halloween

High Tech Halloween

October 24th

Request a Visit

Email us to learn more!

Contact us

FAQs

Explore More at the Bradbury Science Museum

Continue the exploration of science and innovation by visiting the Bradbury Science Museum

1450 Central Avenue | Los Alamos, NM 87544 | (505) 667-4444 

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Closed: Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

Free Admission

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