BLOOMINGTON – On Friday, Feb. 22, Ivy Tech students took a trip to Batavia, Ill. to Fermilab – the United States’ particle physics and accelerator laboratory. Akin to CERN in Geneva, Switzerland where the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is located, Fermilab is an international hub for scientists from more than 50 countries to collaborate on solving the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time. Fermilab is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Students began by touring the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment where physicists and engineers built a particle detector for protons to collide into at nearly the speed of light. Then students went on a special excursion into the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment where scientists have constructed a massive tunnel to shoot subatomic particles into a detector in South Dakota. Students then visited the Remote Operations Center which uses Fermilab’s computing power to monitor the LHC and to provide real time data transfer between researchers of the two laboratories. The students finished by attending a seminar on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, presented by the CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Fermilab offers a variety of internship opportunities, including Community College Internships (CCI).

STEM-related academic degree options at Ivy Tech Bloomington include Computer Science, Design Technology, Electronics & Computer Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Informatics, Industrial Technology, Network Infrastructure, and more.

8-week classes begin March 18. There’s still time to apply today!

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.