Exploring nuclear science and promoting equity: A synergistic approach to education and outreach

Leading off: The first webinar, “Equitable Outreach,” addressed the need for intentional and equitable outreach by ANS sections. Moderated by Lisa Marshall, ANS President and director for outreach retention and engagement at North Carolina State University’s nuclear engineering program, and Ira Strong, a member of the Diversity and Inclusion in ANS (DIA) Committee. The event featured Scott Lathrop, chief executive of the ytt Northern Chumash Nonprofit, Beatriz Valencia Hernandez, a technical recruiter at Idaho National Laboratory, and Canterra Simerly, an academy coach at Austin-East High School in Texas.

“This webinar is a call to action for more ANS sections and individuals to be intentional about conducting outreach equitably,” Marshall emphasized during her opening remarks. Lathrop, a member of the yak tit^yu tit^yu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region, shared insights on building trust with tribal communities. He stressed the importance of relationship building over project development, arguing that “building relationships should be the primary focus over project development.”

Simerly highlighted the value of sustained partnerships in educational outreach. She noted that genuine investment in students’ futures made a tangible difference. “Our best stories come from those partners who really, truly invest and really care,” she said.

Valencia Hernandez offered a look into the challenges and opportunities of recruiting within Hispanic communities. “Social-civic capital is vital, and it’s about creating networks and opportunities for exposure to STEM fields for first-generation students,” Hernandez explained.

The panelists collectively agreed that trust, cultural understanding, and sustained engagement are central to overcoming barriers of distrust and realizing inclusive outreach. As noted by Marshall, the process needs to be collaborative: “It’s not about what you can do for a community, but about the relationships you build and where those relationships can lead.”

Marshall announced an upcoming three-part training series organized by the ANS DIA Committee aimed at equipping ANS members and nuclear organizations with the knowledge to effectively engage underrepresented communities.

The event underscored the significant strides needed to ensure outreach efforts in the nuclear field are inclusive and sustainable. Authentic engagement fosters true inclusion, and participants were reminded of the power of “fuller participation.”

Second up: A few days later, the “Quest for Gold” webinar was offered as part of the ANS Educator Training Program. It was aimed at educating elementary to high school teachers about nuclear transmutation. Hosted by ANS past president Eric Loewen, chief engineer and manager of the Chief Engineer’s Office at GE-Hitachi, the event featured Candace Davison, a former assistant director for education and outreach at Penn State University. Davison took the audience on a journey through the history of alchemy, the concept of transmutation, and basic nuclear physics. She also discussed topics such as radioactive decay, stability of nuclei, and practical radioactive decay equations.

“One of the reasons is I’ve always been interested in and intrigued by alchemy,” Davison said of her motivation to explore nuclear activities that mirror the ancient practice of alchemy, where the transformation of elements was a primary goal. Her engaging presentation included educational tools such as the “radioactivity game” and the chart of the nuclides. Attendees learned about the production of radioactive isotopes and their medical uses as well as the theoretical potential of transmuting elements like gold.

Davison emphasized the importance of understanding nuclear stability and decay, highlighting how certain isotopes are used in medical diagnostics. “Only certain combinations of neutrons and protons make the atom stable. If they’re not in balance, again, they’re going to release a particle or wave to become more stable,” she explained. She also explored the production of radioactive isotopes through neutron capture, showcasing their applicability in various industries.

The interactive format of the webinar allowed attendees to ask questions about the feasibility and economic sense of nuclear transmutation, especially in producing useful isotopes for research and medical applications. Davison’s insights and resources equipped educators with the knowledge to inspire the next generation of scientists.

More info: These two recent webinars, available as recordings to all ANS members at ans.org/webinars, exemplify the Society’s dedication to advancing nuclear science education.