Research & Science
District online · Discovery Labs
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Research & Science

Ask the questions no one has asked.

NIH, NASA Goddard, USGS, and biotech startups all live in the DMV. Step inside a working research campus.

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Careers
5
Rooms
2
Mentors
2
Missions
Inside the Discovery Labs

Step into a workplace zone

Each zone opens a live mission inspired by real work that happens here.

Live objectives

Missions

Mission

Design the Study

You have a hypothesis about a childhood asthma trigger. Design the experiment.

Badge: Research Method
Launch mission
Mission

Mission Critical Anomaly

A satellite instrument is drawing 15% more power than expected. You're the systems engineer.

Badge: Systems Sleuth
Launch mission
Career pathways

Careers you can pursue here

Tap to explore. Save the ones that spark your interest to your passport.

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Biomedical Scientist

Research disease, drugs, and human biology.

PhD in biology, biochemistry, or related
DMV pay: $92k–$180k
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Clinical Research Coordinator

Run drug and device trials.

Bachelor's + SOCRA/ACRP certification
DMV pay: $65k–$105k
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Environmental Scientist

Study climate, water, and ecosystems.

Bachelor's or Master's in environmental science
DMV pay: $72k–$115k
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Aerospace Engineer

Design spacecraft, rockets, and satellites.

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering
DMV pay: $105k–$175k
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Epidemiologist

Track diseases and public health outbreaks.

Master's or PhD in Public Health
DMV pay: $85k–$140k
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Laboratory Technician

Run experiments, prep samples, maintain instruments.

Associate's or Bachelor's in a science field
DMV pay: $45k–$68k
Mentor network

Meet the professionals

Real-world voices with real answers. Ask them anything.

👩🏽‍🔬
Dr. Anika Rao
Biomedical Research Scientist, NIH

Studies rare pediatric cancers in Bethesda.

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Jamal Boone
Aerospace Engineer, Goddard

Builds instruments for NASA earth-observing missions.