Come Explore Nuclear Science!
Nuclear Science Week is an international, broadly observed week-long celebration that focuses on all aspects of nuclear science. Events during this week will provide many learning opportunities about contributions, innovation and careers that can be found by exploring nuclear science. #nuclearsciweek
SRS Community Reuse Organization and its affiliated Nuclear Workforce Initiative® are collaborating with local organizations to conduct activities designed to encourage and bring awareness of nuclear technology and the many careers available within nuclear technology and other high-tech industries.
DATES & ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
October 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2020
Where:
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center – University of South Carolina Aiken
Who:
Middle and high school students
What:
Center of the Atom (An Investigation of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, Elements, and Isotopes) – Probing the Periodic Table, Changes Matter – Meet the Elements – Radioecology – Sunstruck (Planetarium)
How:
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center will be accepting reservation requests for field trip programs for the 2020-2021 school year. Deadline date is June 5, 2020. Reservation request forms are available here. The programs fill up quickly, so please do not delay!
For more information contact Dr. Gary Senn at [email protected]
Date
TBA
Where:
TBA
Hosted By: University of South Carolina Salkehatchie – Allendale, SC
Who:
Middle school students from Allendale, SC
What:
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) focus
How:
For more details coming soon!
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
October 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2020
Where:
Augusta University
Who:
Hosted by Society of Nuclear Scholars
What:
Planning to host a campus wide nuclear scavenger hunt complete with prizes. There will be fun facts to learn about how nuclear science helps us in our lives as participants complete the hunt.
How:
For more information on how to participate, please contact the Society of Nuclear Scholars at [email protected]
October 26 - November 13, 2020
(3-weeks to show video to students)
Our Sponsors
Many thanks to our sponsors.
Where:
Virtual Event (pre-recorded video)
Who:
GA/SC regional high school students considering a career pathway that involves science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills.
What:
Pre-recorded video of local industry experts sharing their knowledge & discussing current/future workforce topics. The goal is to help local students better understand the many career opportunities in STEM fields that exist right here in our community. Click here to see the video.
How:
Video link and post event survey link given to educators. Information and details will be coordinated through educators.
For more information and details, contact Kim Saxon at [email protected]
Event is hosted by SRS Community Reuse Organization
GOLD:
Bechtel | SRS Community Reuse Organization | Nuclear Workforce Initiative®
SILVER:
Aiken Technical College | Augusta Technical College | Applied Research Center | Georgia Power/Southern Nuclear| Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
BRONZE:
BWX Technologies, Inc |Dominion Energy| Savannah River Remediation, LLC
IN-KIND:
Aiken Works |Georgia Cyber Center| MTU America | Security Onion Solutions, LLC
Thursday
October 22, 2020
12:00 pm
Where:
Southern Nuclear Plant Vogtle – Waynesboro, GA
Who:
Middle, high school, college/university students and teachers
What:
A special Facebook live event on careers in nuclear energy
How:
Follow Southern Nuclear on Facebook or for more information contact Joel Leopard at [email protected] or 706-848-3630
Savannah River Site (SRS) Virtual Field Trip
"Wet Wonders" Come On! Get on the Bus!
Your journey takes you to on a "Wet Wonders" adventure at SRS to study biotic factors that determine the health of a pond.
Roundtrip 14 minutes!
Attention Educators: For keys to the bus, complete the short form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VirtualTripWetWondersSRS
Upon submission, within 1-3 business days, you will receive a link to the video, and a Student Activity Sheet with Answer Key.
Annual Edward Teller Lecture and Banquet
Date TBA
Where:
Virtual
What:
Time for members of the public to come learn more about the current advances in nuclear technology as well as see pioneering scientists awarded for their efforts in the industry
Keynote Speaker:
TBA
How:
Tickets required.
For more information contact CNTA at [email protected].
Science Education Enrichment Day (S.E.E.D) Virtual STEM Expo
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
October 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2020
University of South Carolina Aiken's Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
Although the university's 35th annual SEED event will be presented in a different format this year, students and educators will have access to engaging, dynamic and interesting projects, presentations and information.
To participate in the SEED Virtual STEM Expo, students and their teachers can register at http://usca.edu/SEED.
CNTA Oyster Roast & Low Country Boil
Saturday, October 17, 2020
6:30 pm
Palmetto Golf Club (Aiken, SC)
Tickets required.
For more information contact CNTA at [email protected]
Hosted by Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness
Atomic City Festival
CANCELLED
Saturday, October 10, 2020
New Ellenton, SC
Family Fun Event! Craft • Food Vendors • Music • Live Entertainment.
Follow event on Facebook.
Savannah River Site Museum
Wednesday - Saturday, October 21 - 24, 2020
10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm (Saturday)
224 Laurens Street SW
Aiken SC, 29801
Located in downtown Aiken, SC, SRS Museum visitors can experience life at the Savannah River Site and learn more about South Carolina’s role in winning the Cold War through stories and artifacts from SRS.
The SRS Museum just completed installation of a new exhibit, “6,000 Stories” that details life before the plant in surrounding communities of Dunbarton, Ellenton, and Meyer’s Mill, whose residents relocated to make way for the 310 square mile plant. Additional exhibits include information on the Cold War, local fallout shelters, plant production, radiation, waste cleanup, space exploration, and ecology.
Even after seven decades, the Savannah River Site remains one of the most influential entities in the Central Savannah River Area, and is one of the CSRA’s largest employers. Come discover its impact on our community from its mid 20th century origins through today.
For more information contact Lauren Miller at [email protected] or 803-648-1437.
Nuclear Blitz Days
Date TBA
The Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) and the local section of the American Nuclear Society (ANS-SR) will jointly conduct a weeklong “blitz” into area high schools.
Classroom lessons include an overview of nuclear fundamentals, applications and career opportunities partnered with hands-on demonstrations.
For more information contact CNTA at [email protected]
Block Party – Atoms in the Alley
CANCELLED
Saturday, October 24, 2020
The Alley in downtown Aiken, SC
Join this fun, family friendly event celebrating Aiken County and the surrounding area’s nuclear history. Event will include science related demonstrations, music, vendors and more. All proceeds benefit the SRS Museum. Follow event on Facebook.
For more information contact Lauren Miller at [email protected] or 803-648-1437.
Savannah River Site Education Outreach Programs
The United States Department of Energy Savannah River Operations Office (DOE-SR) provides a variety of science and literacy outreach programs at the Savannah River Site (SRS) by funding and coordinating the efforts of several organizations. The primary goals of these outreach programs are to enhance interest in science, mathematics, engineering and technology and to support improvements in education in the Central Savannah River Area by using the unique resources available at the Site. We believe business, industry, government and the education community must work together as partners to improve the educational opportunities for all students in our region.
In partnership with education institutions, the Savannah River Site offers:
• Hands-on programs for precollege students and teachers
• Unique research opportunities for post-secondary students and faculty at the Savannah River Site
• Various workshops, tours, lectures and demonstrations that promote science, mathematics, engineering and technology
To learn more about the many programs offered click here.
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is a cooperative effort between the University of South Carolina Aiken, business, industry, and schools in the Central Savannah River Area. Its programs challenge the present and inspire the future to effect systemic change in science and mathematics education. Its hands-on approach to teaching is designed to help people experience the beauty, the order, and the power of science and mathematics, as well as the interest and fun of discovery.
Programs are available for students, teachers and the community. To learn more click here.
Teach-Ins
Need a subject matter expert to help in your classroom? The Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) has speakers available that can come to your classroom to discuss atomic and nuclear fundamentals, nuclear energy, nuclear technologies and applications, careers in nuclear, and a wide range of other topics. We also conduct hands-on demonstrations and activities.
Available Topics Include:
• How Radiation is Measured and How Exposure is Safely Controlled
• The Applications Of Radiation
• Nuclear Fundamentals
• Nuclear Technology Applications
• Regional Nuclear Technology Uses
• Career Opportunities in Nuclear
If you are interested in having members from CNTA come to your classroom to teach, please contact the office at [email protected].
Plant Vogtle Energy Education Center
Dive into the fascinating world of electricity and energy with Learning Power! Expand your students’ minds with “in-class field trips” facilitated by Georgia Power education coordinators who bring an informative energy curriculum to your classroom. Learning Power’s highly interactive lessons are aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence and are a great way to stimulate your students’ minds. Click here to find a coordinator for your school district.
If you would like to receive information about Plant Vogtle or schedule a field trip to a working power plant, please contact the Vogtle Energy Education Center staff at [email protected].
Classroom Lesson Plans
Nuclear Science Week endeavors to provide a rich assortment of curriculum assistance.
Energy Solutions Foundation has provided a number of these lesson plans, which will provide you with step-by-step ways to teach the fundamentals of nuclear science.
Click here on activities that are ready to use in your classroom.
Lesson plans include:
• NAYGN’s Global Fuel Cycle Game
• Navigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World
• Detecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World
• The Atomic Nucleus
• The Nuclear Wall Chart
• Tearing Through a Half-Life
• Nuclear Popcorn
• Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Oh My!
• Radioactive Decay
• Radioactive Decay Chains
• Safe and Reliable Nuclear Energy
• The Environment and the Generation of Electricity
• Nuclear Clean Air Facts
• The Fission Game
• Radioactive Waste Disposal
• How Much Radiation
• Estimate Your Personal Annual Radiation Dose
• Calculate Your Radiation Dose
• Mock Senate
• Perception of Risk
Nuclear Science Resources
Click here to find websites and resources for more information and activities centered on nuclear science.
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), a research unit of the University of Georgia, pursues basic and applied research at multiple levels of ecological organization, from atoms to ecosystems.
The SREL Outreach Program reaches more than 50,000 people annually who live in communities surrounding the Savannah River Site (SRS). These programs enhance an individual’s understanding of environmental issues affecting the SRS, and they increase general ecological awareness by featuring programs on the local ecology and associated research.
The following are outreach programs available. Click on each program for details.
• Ecologist for a Day
• EcoTalks
• Exhibits
Click here to complete an outreach program request form.
Click here for educational materials.
Savannah River Site Museum
The SRS Museum became an extension of the Aiken County Historical Museum in 2015 when the SRS Heritage Foundation partnered with Aiken County to obtain the former Dibble Library on Laurens Street for the sole purpose of creating a museum for the interpretation and preservation of the history of the Savannah River Site and its role in the Cold War.
The SRS Museum is committed to informing the public about the history of the Savannah River Site by:
• Creating interest in the museum and excitement about its activities;
• Attracting visitors to the museum;
• Linking the museum to other museums and historical/educational organizations
• Generating excitement about careers in STEM fields
For more information contact Lauren Miller at [email protected] or 803-648-1437
Savannah River Site Public Tour Program
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS) will once again offer a limited number of Savannah River Site (SRS) tours for the general public.
Guests will be given an overview presentation, safety briefing and driving tour of the site. The public tour includes a visit to the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Visitors will get an overview of the ecology lab’s history and mission, and get an up close view of animals that are native to the Savannah River Site. Historic tours include a tour of the SRS Curation Facility and also stops at the Dunbarton town site and C Reactor.
Site tours provide an opportunity for those interested in SRS to better understand the Department of Energy’s facilities and workers that changed the face of Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale Counties, nearby cities and helped win the Cold War. Guests will also learn about facilities supporting future missions of the Savannah River Site.
For more information on the SRS public tour program, click here.
Scholarship and Training Opportunities
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills are important building blocks that help students expand their education and career opportunities. Creative resources are available to students, teachers and parents to promote STEM skill development and understand nuclear technology through activities that encourage exploration and involvement.
Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) scholarships are available at five area educational institutes with a focus on programs that enable students to develop critical skills needed for careers supporting Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NSSA) nuclear missions.
Five area educational partners offering training and scholarships:
• Aiken Technical College
• Augusta Technical College
• Augusta University
• Claflin University
• University of South Carolina Aiken
• University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
Click here to learn more about the local high-tech training opportunities and scholarships available.
For more information about
Nuclear Science Week,
contact Mindy Mets, Director of Regional Workforce Programs at [email protected] or Kim Saxon, Assistant Coordinator, at [email protected]