Campus Resources - EPL
Within its impressive facilities, the Earth & Planets Laboratory (EPL) has many resources that are available to all those working on campus, ranging from computer labs to our extensive research library.
EPL maintains state-of-the-art research facilities so our scientists can study the smallest sample to the furthest reaches of space.
EPL has a joint library that supports advanced research in the physical, earth, and space sciences. The library subscribes to more than 200 scientific journals and reference databases and holds 10,000 technical books, maps, and reports.
EPL maintains a modern machine shop with state-of-the-art CNC capabilities.
Find logos, letterhead, brand guidelines, social media channels, and more!
Safety at the Earth & Planets Laboratory is a top priority. We are committed to a safe working environment in the laboratory and everywhere on campus.
The Carnegie (Bush Retreat) Cabin at Deep Creek is a benefit for all employees, postdocs/fellows, retirees, and visiting investigators of the Institution.
Explore recent and historical publications at the Earth and Planets Laboratory.
Explore past professional development workshops (pre-2021).
Learn about our Broad Branch Road campus.
FAQs
In the event of a major weather or emergency event, the Broad Branch Road campus of the Carnegie Institution for Science will follow the lead of the D.C. Area Federal Government.
In addition, the Facility Management team maintains a phone line (202-478-8486) which will be updated before 6:30 a.m. on days when such events occur. This phone line will be accessible to all employees so that they may hear condition reports and confirm whether or not they are expected to report to work.
-
Call 202-478-8486 for up-to-date emergency status.
-
View the Federal Office of Personnel Management Operating Status website (OPM)
Interpreting OPM
CLOSED: If DC area Federal Government offices are CLOSED, campus personnel are not required to report to work and will not lose pay or annual leave for that day.
OPEN under a DELAYED ARRIVAL: If federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN under a DELAYED ARRIVAL, employees should plan to arrive for work no more than a specified number of hours later than they would normally arrive.
Under this condition, the campus will open on time, but non-emergency employees may adjust their normal arrival time consistent with the announcement. For example, if an employee normally arrives at work at 8:30 a.m. and is directed to arrive no more than 2 hours late, the commuter would be granted an excused absence from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Employees who arrive for work more than the specified number of hours later than their normal arrival time will be charged annual leave for the additional period of absence.
Employees designated as emergency personnel are expected to report for work as directed by the Facility Manager.
UNSCHEDULED LEAVE: If federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN under an UNSCHEDULED LEAVE policy, Broad Branch Road campus employees may take annual leave, without the prior approval of their supervisors, for a portion of or the entire scheduled workday. Employees should inform their supervisors of their intentions as soon as possible. Employees designated as emergency personnel are expected to report to work as directed by the Facility Manager.
OPEN: If federal agencies in Washington, DC, are OPEN; employees are expected to report to work on time unless conditions in and around the BBR campus are such that it would be dangerous or not possible for employees to work (i.e., damage or outages in buildings, ice or heavy snow on the roadways). Employees should call the emergency phone line for condition reports.
If there is no message on the line, then employees should report to work on time.
EARLY DISMISSAL: If for any reason, employees are dismissed for the day upon arriving at work, there will be no loss of pay or annual leave.
EXCEPTIONS: Members of the BBR Engineering Staff or other Staff members who are designated by the Facility Manager as emergency/essential personnel will be asked to make every effort to report to the campus on days when the Federal Government is closed.
Implementation Guidelines
The Director works with the Facility Manager to make final decisions regarding these policies each time weather or another event occurs.
On the morning of a day in which there is/has been/will be a major weather or emergency event, the Facility Manager and the Director will contact one another before 6:30 a.m. to decide as to whether employees will be asked to report to work on time, by the above-listed policies.
The Directors and the Facilities Manager may use the following checklist to make considerations regarding whether the employees will be asked to report to work:
- Has the Federal Office of Personnel Management made a public announcement about changes to their operations?
- Are roads impassable on the BBR campus and the immediately surrounding area?
- Are secondary/neighborhood roads in the greater DC area are impassable?
- Have there been reports of ice on the roadways in the area? Extensive debris in the roadways?
- Are one or more buildings on campus are incapacitated (due to damage or power outages)?
- Is there a high likelihood of weather or another event that will take place during the workday, which could cause damage or make it difficult for employees to return to their homes?
Once a consensual decision has been reached, the Facility Manager will ensure that the message on the emergency phone line (202-478-8486) has been updated.
View Carnegie-wide policy
Public Transit
Schedules, fares, a trip planner for directions, and other information can be found at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's website. Google maps also does a fine job.
EPL is approximately 1.5 miles from three Metro stations on the Red Line: Van Ness-UDC (on Connecticut Ave. just north of Veazey Terrace NW), Tenleytown-AU (at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave. and Albemarle St NW), and Friendship Heights (at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave. and Western Ave.). Scooters and bike-shares are normally available for rent near the metro. Buses are accessible from any of these Metro stations.
Real time “Next Arrival” Bus Information by route
From the Friendship Heights Metro stop, exit at the Military Road/Western Ave. Exit following the signs to the bus station. From Platform K, board the C83. Take the bus to Nebraska Ave & Broad Branch Rd (Stop ID: 1002669). Walk south on Broad Branch Rd, make the left on Jocelyn St, and reach our campus at the corner of 32nd and Jocelyn (0.2 mi from bus stop).
From the Tenleytown-AU Metro stop, you can walk 0.2 miles to Tenley circle: the intersection of Nebraska Av NW & Tenley Cir NW (Stop ID: 1002427) to get the C81 bus toward Fort Totten and get off at Military RD & 32nd Street NW (Stop ID: 1002675). From there, walk south on 32nd St to Jocelyn St and then onto our campus (0.2 miles). At rush hour, you can also take the C85 bus from Fort Dr NW & Albemarle St NW to Nebraska Ave NW & Broad Branch RD NW (0.2 mi walk to campus).
From the Van Ness-UDC Metro stop, exit toward the "northbound buses," and take the D70 bus from the stop right outside the escalator. Exit the bus at Connecticut Ave & Nebraska Ave. in front of Comet Ping Pong Pizza. From there, walk up Connecticut and make a right on Nevada Ave and then a left on 32nd St to our campus (0.6 mile walk). For less walking, you can also take the C87 Bus to Military RD & 32nd Street NW.
Driving
Get directions using our address or GPS Coordinates: 38.958855262332705, -77.06344998607162
Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Broad Branch Road Campus
5241 Broad Branch Road, N.W.
Washington, DC 20015
Although the address is Broad Branch Rd., the entrances to campus are on 32nd St NW and Jocelyn St NW. You may have to instruct a taxi or Ride App driver to turn onto 32nd St and proceed up our driveway on the right.
From the Beltway: (I-495), take Exit 33, to MD-185/Connecticut Avenue southbound (toward Chevy Chase). Drive 2.7 miles to the Chevy Chase Circle. Continue around the circle southward on Connecticut for 0.5 miles to Military Road (fourth stoplight). Turn left on Military Rd and continue east for 0.5 miles to 32nd Street (third stoplight). Turn right (south) on 32nd St. and go one block; the campus will be on your left. Turn left at Jocelyn St or continue south to turn left at the driveway.
From Downtown: Head north on Connecticut Ave. Turn right on 36th St., just before reaching Nebraska Ave. At the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Nevada Ave, which then becomes Broad Branch Road. Turn left onto 32nd St. (a 5-way-stop intersection). Drive a few feet and turn right into the campus' main driveway or continue north to turn right onto Jocelyn St.
Parking on campus is free. See the BBR Campus Map for lot locations. Street parking is also permitted and free along 32nd St or Jocelyn St.
Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Broad Branch Road Campus
5241 Broad Branch Road, N.W.
Washington, DC 20015