[2025/10/25] Scout Fest 2025

Approximately 2,500 Scouts and their families attended Scout Fest 2025. Among the many activities and vendors, the event featured a dedicated STEM Zone designed to inspire Scouts to explore opportunities in science and technology and to become the leaders of tomorrow. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) Oak Ridge/Knoxville Local Section volunteered to introduce participants to the exciting world of nuclear science. Over the course of eight hours, six volunteers engaged with Scouts and their families of all ages, sharing hands-on demonstrations and discussions about radiation and nuclear technology. Our event table featured four Geiger-Mueller detectors, thorium sources, and shielding materials to help visitors learn what radiation is, how it can be detected, and ways to minimize exposure. We also had two mini cloud chambers, which provided a visual representation of radiation and were a crowd favorite among the kids. In addition, our half-life of candy activity offered a simple way to explain radioactive decay. We also distributed educational resources, informational materials, and themed stickers for attendees to take home. Overall, the event was a great success, providing a meaningful opportunity to promote nuclear science to the public while giving our volunteers a chance to share their expertise during Nuclear Science Week.

Volunteers: Clay Jablonski (UTK), Daniel Koch (UTK), Joshua Herrera (UTK), Kunal Mondal (ORNL), Julie Ezold (ORNL), Lauren Bailey (UTK)

[2025/10/21] Nuclear Science Week Career Fair

During Nuclear Science Week, ANS was invited to host a booth at the Oak Ridge Chamber 2nd Annual Career Fair. ANS representatives met with students and professionals alike providing resources regarding available careers within the nuclear industry.

Volunteers: Patrick Williams (ORISE), Andrew Conant (ORNL), Julie Ezold (ORNL), Uchenna Ezibe (ANS).

[2025/10/08] ORNL/ANS Nuclear Teacher Workshop

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the local Oak Ridge/Knoxville ANS chapter hosted a nuclear-focused professional development day for 30 local high school teachers. With talks and related hands-on activities, teachers learned more about nuclear science and left with information and resources to be used in future classroom education. Topics included: Nuclear Basics, Half-Life Lessons, Detectors & Experiments, Time/Distance/Shielding Lesson, Cloud Chamber experiments, Nuclear Science in Society, Fusion, Isotopes, and Nuclear Batteries. After lunch, teachers got the chance to hear talks from X-Energy and Kairos Power, then take tours of HFIR and REDC.

[2025/09/19] Career Fair at Emerald Academy

With ANS members from ORNL, private industry, and academia, outreach volunteers attended a K-8 career fair aimed at educating students on various career opportunities afforded to them in the local area. Volunteers gave live demonstrations of radioactive decay, advice on career pathways within the nuclear industry, and educational resources aimed at future educational growth.

[2025/05] K-12 Outreach Event at Emerald Academy

Outreach at Emerald Academy in Knoxville, TN.