National Nuclear Science Week comes to close in Oak Ridge
For the first time, Oak Ridge was the host site for the national annual Nuclear Science week.
From fully-packed “dirt tours” of several new nuclear sites to educating the future workforce with interactive workshops, Nuclear Science Week, hosted by the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), had a buzz of energy all week long.
It was the first year that Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was selected as the host site for the national program, an obvious nod to the nuclear progress in the area.
On Monday, October 20, Nuclear Science Week kicked off at the Bill Wilcox Interpretive Center with words from Mayor Pro Tem and AMSE Board President, Jim Dodson, AMSE Executive Director Alan Lowe, Roane State Community College President Chris Whaley, Senator Ken Yager, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History President and CEO Jennifer Hayden, Michael Russell with Strata-G, and Curtis Roberts II with Orano.
Going into the week, Matt Mullins, Director of Marketing and Communications for AMSE, shared his excitement to expose East Tennesseeans to the numerous opportunities in nuclear.
“Surrounding communities should be aware of the opportunities that come with this development, like well-paying non-degree and degree-based work. Now and in ten years, STEM careers can be homegrown in this region,” he said.
For example, one of the key events to bring awareness to jobs in nuclear was the “Atomic Education Summit” on Wednesday, October 22. The goal of the event was to advance workforce development by exposing the technical, scientific, physical, and creative jobs associated with the nuclear industry.
AMSE said that the Atomic Education Summit served more than 1,000 local K-12 students and families throughout the day.
Some of the individual workshops engaged students by sharing how skilled trades and technical careers directly enhance nuclear efforts. For example, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Knoxville’s Welding Lab Trailer provided students with a first-hand look at welding technology, training methodologies, and demand for workers.
Additionally, the “Be Pro, Be Proud” mobile experience gave students and their families an immersive virtual reality and digital simulation experience across multiple skilled trade disciplines.
For adults, the Nuclear Science Week Career Fair offered exposure to existing positions needed to operate emerging nuclear facilities in Oak Ridge and Roane County. There were more than 30 exhibitors at the Roane State Oak Ridge Campus to engage with job-seekers.
Finally, in the early morning of Friday, October 24, the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) is hosting tours of Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ (ORAU) Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity before a program with Bernadette Celeste Robin of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.
At 4:00 p.m. of Friday, AMSE will also re-open its doors to welcome the community for another Atomic Future Expo. Presentations will begin promptly at 4:15p.m.
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