Oak Ridge selected as national site for Nuclear Science Week 2025 | Check out the full programming schedule
The week of programming will be facilitated and hosted by the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) in Oak Ridge.
A few months ago, we sat down across from Alan Lowe, the Executive Director of the Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), and Matt Mullins, the museum’s Director of Marketing and Communications, to learn about East Tennessee’s extensive nuclear history. It was during that meeting when Mullins shared his high anticipation and regional pride for Oak Ridge being selected as the national site for the 2025 Nuclear Science Week.
Fast forward, and that week is right around the corner, kicking off on Monday, October 20. Mullins also said AMSE would play the lead role in organizing, coordinating, hosting, and promoting the week-long schedule of events.
“Oak Ridge is responsible for 80 years of atomic innovation. Now, it is poised to do it again! The future of nuclear has already begun in Oak Ridge. The response to resources and partnerships has already brought some of the world’s most innovative companies to our doorstep,” Mullins said.
The first Nuclear Science Week dates back to 2010, when it was held in Albuquerque, NM, at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Since then, it’s moved around to various museums, college campuses, and cities that have united around the nuclear renaissance.
This year, Oak Ridge seemed like the perfect fit based on the success of statewide initiatives like the Nuclear Energy Fund, East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW), research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the nuclear program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and regular economic development announcements about new nuclear start-ups relocating to the region. The list goes on.
“There continue to be announcements of huge financial and industrial partnerships within nuclear energy, making Oak Ridge home. 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,” Mullins said.
To better acquaint the public with the opportunities in nuclear careers, AMSE has organized a full schedule of events. The public can also find these on the Nuclear Science Week website.
The original schedule included Department of Energy (DOE) public facility bus tours to give community members a “lay of the land.” However, due to the government shutdown, those tours have been postponed.
“On Monday and Thursday, we have modified the tour by removing the bus and asking guests to meet us at four very unique Manhattan Project era collections,” Mullins said.
The schedule of events:
Monday, Oct. 20 | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm EDT
D.O.E. Public Facility Bus Tour (postponed).
The Department of Energy (DOE) Public Bus Tour is a one-of-a-kind tour that visits the primary sites of the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN. Each tour includes two guides to help share the unique scientific history of the Secret City, including the American Museum of Science and Energy, the Y-12 New Hope Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Center for Computational Sciences, and the K-25 History Center.
Monday, Oct. 20 | 5 pm – 8:30 pm
By Invitation Welcome Reception: At AMSE, hosted by the AMSE Foundation.
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
New Nuclear “Dirt Tour” Sponsored by ETEC and Departs from AMSE. Guests can take a deep dive into Oak Ridge’s cutting-edge nuclear and tech ecosystem with a guided motor coach tour highlighting non-federal nuclear sites, advanced manufacturing hubs, and training centers. *Great for students, educators, workforce professionals, and anyone seeking a closer look at the private-sector side of Oak Ridge’s nuclear legacy. Lunch and transportation are provided with registration.
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Holly Cross: ORS Innovation Lab tour at Oak Ridge High School. Catch a glimpse into Oak Ridge Schools’ cutting-edge classroom programs to see how today’s students are surpassing tomorrow’s expectations.
Tuesday, Oct. 21 |4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
2025 Nuclear Science Week Career Fair at Roane State Community College. Hosted by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Open to the Public at Roane State Community College, Oak Ridge, Campus – Main Atrium + Classroom Wings. Discover career and educational pathways in the nuclear industry and meet with industry professionals.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 9 am – 11 pm
Oak Ridge Discovery Foundation Atomic Education Summit at Oak Ridge Conference Center.Hosted at the Oak Ridge Conference Center by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, the Oak Ridge Discovery Foundation, and Oak Ridge Schools. Oak Ridge schools will provide access for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th-grade students to attend the Atomic Education Summit. This event is a hands-on event intended to engage students with a variety of technical and professional opportunities.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 |12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
High School and Educator Professional Development at Oak Ridge Conference Center. Hosted at the Oak Ridge Conference Center and the Pollard Auditorium on the ORAU campus, students and teachers are encouraged to engage in challenges to win prizes.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Atomic Education Summit – Hosted at the Oak Ridge Conference Center by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, the Oak Ridge Discovery Foundation, and Oak Ridge Schools. Discover career and education pathways in the nuclear industry, and meet and speak with industry professionals.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Student Live Demonstrations and Showcases: Hosted by ORAU and Oak Ridge Schools at the Pollard Auditorium on the ORAU campus, Portrait of a Graduate presentations & extended display for outside school districts.
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Jackson Square Historic Meet-Up: Join Historians D. Ray Smith, Mike Stallo, Representatives from the Scarboro 85, the National Park Service and more for a historic walk back through time from the birthplace of the “Atomic Age” through today.
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Historic Tennis Court Dance: Hosted by the the National Park Service’s Manhattan Project National Historical Park at the Oak Ridge Tennis Courts. Join NPS and a host of other friends and neighbors for a one-of-a-kind Manhattan Project Era throwback party!
Friday, Oct. 24 | 7:30 am – 8:30 am
East Tennessee Economic Council: Speaker Jennifer Hayden, President & Chief Executive Officer, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Friday, Oct. 24 | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Oak Ridge Discovery Foundation’s Atomic Expo: Tomorrow’s Atomic Future Hosted by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the American Museum of Science and Energy. This cutting-edge expo brings tomorrow’s atomic innovations into public view today!
Guests can register for any of these free events by clicking on this link: Nuclear Science Week 2025 community participation form.
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