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SPECIAL EDITION: National Nuclear Science Week
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October 2013
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Follow us on Twitter! Rick McLeod @atomicasset  Mindy Mets @nuclearstem
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Week Overview
During the week of October 21-25, 2013 communities across the nation celebrated the contributions of nuclear science as part of the 4th annual National Nuclear Science Week. The greater Aiken, SC and Augusta, GA region was selected as the national focus for events. The SRSCRO took a leadership role in coordinating the week's activities that connected local students with regional and national expertise in the nuclear industry. More than 1500 students, 25 companies and organizations and 50 volunteers were actively involved in the week. Jim Walther chairs the National Steering Committee for National Nuclear Science Week. He is the Director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 "I was so honored to be invited to visit the South Carolina and Georgia regional celebration of National Nuclear Science Week. The team based at Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization did a superb job of planning a vibrant and varied menu of learning and dialogue opportunities for the community. This event was the largest yet organized for the annual large national celebration component. Thanks to the SRSCRO team and its many regional partners for such a valuable chance to get to know nuclear."
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STEM Scouting
Young scouts from across the region explored Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) on Saturday, Oct 19 to kick off National Nuclear Science Week. The STEM Fun Day was hosted by Aiken Technical College as part of the College's ongoing STEM education programs. AREVA, Southern Company and PopAtomic Studios partnered for the engaging hands-on activities that included balloon car racing, atomic artwork, a marshmallow challenge and more.
Then, on Monday, Oct 21 the scouts met the history-making Simona De Silvestro, driver of IndyCar #78. She brought her show car and talked about the relationship between STEM and racing. She gave the scouts special "Nuclear Clean Air Energy" patches.
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Students Meet NEI CEO
Students from Aiken Technical College and Augusta Technical College met with Marvin Fertel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Monday evening, Oct 21. During the reception, students spoke about their experiences gained from local nuclear training programs - Radiation Protection Technology (RPT) at Aiken Technical College and Nuclear Engineering Technology (NET) at Augusta Technical College. Mr. Fertel talked with students about the significant role they will play in the nuclear industry. Along with senior industry officials from SCANA and Southern Company, Mr. Fertel answered student questions regarding the future nuclear industry. The RPT and NET programs are both nationally recognized as part of the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. |
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CNTA Teller Lecture
 Marvin Fertel, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) spoke at the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) Annual Teller Lecture on Monday evening, Oct 21.  During the evening, artwork made by scouts at the Saturday, Oct 19 STEM Fun Day was presented to Mr. Fertel by Suzanne Hobbs Baker, Executive Director of PopAtomic Studios. The artwork made by children from Aiken will be displayed at the NEI offices in Washington DC. |
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Workforce Development Day
 Nearly 300 high school seniors, college students, and educators arrived early to the Kroc Center in Augusta, GA on Tuesday, Oct 22.
They came with enthusiasm and registration tickets in hand to be part of Nuclear Workforce Development Day. Twenty-five organizations including nuclear employers, professional organizations and educational institutions were ready to greet the students with interactive exhibits, breakout sessions and career information.
 Simona De Silvestro, driver of IndyCar #78, the Nuclear Clean Air Energy Car, was also at the event. Her race car sat in front of the Kroc Center throughout the day.
 Dr. Marc Miller, SRSCRO Chair, formally welcomed the students. He introduced Mayor Deke Copenhaver who provided greetings. Dr. Miller also introduced a video address from GA Senator Johnny Isakson. Laura Clise, Director for AREVA External Communications & Corporate Citizenship, provided the keynote address that included a lively and creative nuclear rap. Anna Johnson from Shaw AREVA MOX Services emceed the event.
Simona De Silvestro talked about the relationship between racing, science and technology. She also answered questions about her racing career.
 Four breakout sessions were each offered twice during the day: Nuclear Myths, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Energy Impact, and Savannah River Site. Panel members in each breakout sessions represented the vast nuclear expertise of the SRSCRO region. Students asked insightful questions and certainly confirmed that the region is full of bright minds preparing to tackle science and technology challenges of the future.
The day closed with a Career Workshop that included an entertaining fashion show. Local nuclear industry interns joined to demonstrate what to wear, and what not to wear in today's work environment. Participants also learned about ways to connect with experiential learning opportunities.
"What a fantastic day it was for me, a nuclear physics student up the hill at GRU. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to network with so many fine professionals." - Levi Johnson, Georgia Regents University Student
"I appreciate the opportunity to network with many possible future employers."- Zack Minter, Georgia Regents University Student
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Education Days
 More than 500 middle and high school students from the SRSCRO region learned about nuclear technology as participants in National Nuclear Science Week Education Days at Ruth Patrick Science Center during five days of National Nuclear Science Week. Similar programs were coordinated and conducted at Georgia Regents University and University of South Carolina Salkehatchie for one day each. A centerpiece of Education Days is the "Journey to the Center of the Atom" program that uses the new Isotope Discovery Kits developed locally. Students from across the nation were able to connect to the program via live webinar on Tuesday, Oct 22. Learn more about Education Days at: http://rpsec.usca.edu/.
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Site Tours
 Plant Vogtle, V.C. Summer Nuclear Station and Savannah River Site (SRS) provided site tours for students to see nuclear technology in action.
Lakeside Middle School students visited Plant Vogtle while students from Fairfield Magnet School for Math & Science visited V.C. Summer. SRS hosted recent Science Bowl competitors from the region.
Plant Vogtle, a nuclear facility operated by Southern Nuclear and located near Waynesboro, GA. and V.C. Summer operated by SCE&G and located near Fairfield, SC, both generate electrical power using nuclear technology. Both facilities are making history with the construction of new nuclear power units. During the tours, students learned about day-to-day electricity generation, observed the construction of new facilities and interacted with young professionals in the nuclear industry.
Savannah River Site participants learned about the Savannah River National Laboratory, the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility and the various ways nuclear technology is used.
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Student Impressions
Workforce Day
Katie Whipkey
USC Aiken
"I came to get insight into the nuclear field from a chemical standpoint."
Jordan Rutland
Paine College
"I am a Junior majoring in biology at Paine College. I want to go on to get my Ph.D. I would like to have a career in ecology and the environment. Today's sessions were very informative and helped me with my goals. They also let us know what some of our responsibilities were as employees. It was good to get this insight."
Alberto Agrumendo
Paine College
"I am a senior math major with a strong interest in Mechanical Engineering. I came here today to get more information on career opportunities in nuclear energy. I wanted to know what kinds of jobs are available. Based on what I've heard, I am encouraged that there is a lot of future in this field."
Jode Robinson
Augusta Technical College
"It's good to get exposure beyond classroom training and to learn about nuclear medicine and waste treatment. It has been really interesting."
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Scenes from the Week
STEM Fun Day
Aiken Technical College
STEM Reception with
Simona De Silvestro
 College Student Reception with Marvin Fertel
Workforce Development Day
Augusta, GA
Workforce Development Day
Augusta, GA
Workforce Development Day
Augusta, GA
Workforce Development Day
Augusta, GA
Education Day
USC Salkehatchie
Education Day
USC Salkehatchie
Education Day
Georgia Regents University
Education Day
Georgia Regents University
 Education Day Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
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| Closing Headline | |
"We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." - Carl Sagan
"There are no such things as applied sciences, only applications of science." - Louis Pasteur
"Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not." - Thomas Henry Huxley
"I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education." - Wilson Mizner
"Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination." - Bertrand Russell
"In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms." - Stephen Jay Gould
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| Contact Information |
Kim Saxon - Administrative Coordinator - 803-508-7403
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