$5,000 - “Nuclear Science Laboratory” (NSL) - Spring 2024 (K-12)

• The section hosted a hands-on, science-based outreach event that allowed high school students and underclassmen in the Golden and broader west Denver area to experientially discover the joy of nuclear science and learn about the nuclear technology that enhances modern life. The program consisted of a series of laboratory exercises, with the intention of leaving the math behind and focusing on lab activities that are simple, exciting, and educational. Three half-hour labs included:
  • Introduction to Radiation and Detection
  • Converting Heat to Electricity
  • PUREX: Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing by Solvent Extraction

$3,500 - Girl Scouts "Get to Know Nuclear" Patch Workshop (K-12)

• The section hosted a workshop for 34 local girl scouts on May 18, 2024, which included several hands-on stations for the scouts to meet the requirements for the Get to Know Nuclear patch offered by ANS. Scout favorites in included Seeing the Unseen (building a cloud chamber) and Fission vs Fusion.
• Reported outcomes included:
  • 82% learned about a new college major or STEM related program
  • 74% increased their knowledge of what scientists and engineers do
  • 79% want to learn more about nuclear

$700 - Nuclear Energy Science and Technology (NEST’24) Seminar (Collaborative Projects/K-12)

• 40 High School students from two nearby schools, Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and Shaurya International School Jammu were invited to IIT Jammu to attend the one day seminar. Apart from this, the seminar was attended by UG and PG students of IIT Jammu.
• Eminent Scientists and Professionals from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Govt of India, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), were invited as guest speakers to talk about the various fronts of the Indian Nuclear Program.

$5,000 - Sponsorship support for the Future Net-Zero Innovators (FuNZI) student symposium at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) (Collaborative Projects)

• Students from Idaho hosted the first ever Future Net-Zero Innovators (FuNZI) student symposium at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls, Idaho from March 29-31, 2023. The primary mission of FuNZI was to provide an opportunity for students to present their research while learning about the multifaceted approaches to increasing sustainability while also reducing carbon emissions. The FuNZI organization committee was led by students who are members of the American Nuclear Society, primarily at Boise State University (BSU) and University of Idaho. Our student sections are dedicated to forging a future of net-zero emissions as well as contributing to the environmental targets set by our nation.
• The symposium was open to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in carbon neutrality and currently attending schools in the Mountain West. The organization committee defined the mountain west region as Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Students were invited to prepare a poster and/or presentation in the following topic areas:
  • Additive manufacturing, Advanced materials, Computational modeling, Energy storage, Environmental energy engagement, Fusion energy, Nuclear energy, Renewable sources, Sustainability, and Waste Management

$5,000 - Live Captioning for Computational Research Access Network (CRANE) Workshops (Collaborative Projects)

• During the 2023 season, CRANE hosted 20 online workshops to provide a collaborative and inclusive environment to teach a computational nuclear science and engineering curriculum from the very basics of python programming to advanced algorithms.
• Having live captioning allowed the section to be inclusive to students with disabilities and those who are not native English speakers (such as students from Puerto Rico and Mexico), who can benefit from seeing English written as they listen.

$5,000 - High School Public Outreach (Collaborative Projects/K-12)

• On March 30, 2023, the ANS University of Pittsburgh Student Section and the Pittsburgh Local Section held a full-day joint outreach event focused on engaging with and educating local high school students. The ANS Pittsburgh section has many years of experience in successful nuclear outreach events - such as Boy Scout nuclear badge, DiscoverE, and school outreach activities. This new joint event leveraged this experience combined with the energy and enthusiasm of the Pittsburgh student section. The purpose of the event was to teach students about nuclear technology and power generation. Participants learned how a nuclear reactor works, the benefits of nuclear power, secondary education options, and career paths in the nuclear industry.
• The University Prep school in the Pittsburgh School District (Millones School) brought 16 students to Westinghouse headquarters for a day-long field trip. This field trip included presentations from ANS members, hands-on activities, and a tour of the Westinghouse AP1000 control room simulator.