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STEMStart! organized the Nuclear Science workshop by partnering with Dr. Charles Neuhauser and Dr. Scott Wakefield. On 5 November, 2022, students ranging from 7th to 9th grades participated in a hands-on 2-hour workshop where they learned about nuclear science. First, Dr. Charles Neuhauser* and Dr. Scott Wakefield introduced participants to nuclear chemistry and physics through an in-depth lecture. Participants immediately applied these principles through four robust experiments they conducted: 1. making a cloud chamber 2. measuring radiation from uranium ore 3. building their own spectroscope 4. building their own electroscope While conducting the experiments, at each station, students learned what was going on at the molecular level, and also how these experiments served as microcosms of technologies used in industry and research. *You can contact Dr. Neuhauser for more information at [email protected] |
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Missed the event? Check out the slides from the event
For more external resources, see the FAQs at the end of this page
Why did STEMStart! choose nuclear science as the area of interest? |
Knowledge on nuclear science is often theoreticalNuclear science concerns practical applications of nuclear reactions and radioactivity. This requires knowledge of the structure and properties of atomic nuclei, and how nuclei are transformed through reactions and radioactive decay. Basic nuclear physics and get an overview of the most important technological applications. Hence, without studying a lot about nuclear physics, it may be hard to develop an interest at a young age. Current science curriculum at the middle school or high school level does not place much emphasis on this area of science. Moreover, the current tone of nuclear energy is negative in the media. STEMStart! was curious--can this area of science be made accessible to youth in a safe manner? By partnering with Neuhauser Associates, STEMStart! found a positive answer to the above question. Through the Nuclear Science workshop, students were able to interact with the topic through fun yet enriching experiments they may not find in their middle school and high school classes, and develop an interest and educated opinion on nuclear energy early in their life. |
Nuclear Science is useful everywhereThe use of nuclear power as an energy source is constantly increasing worldwide. Fission of uranium or thorium is an important technology that can help meet the growing energy demand with minimal emissions of greenhouse gases and use of land. Hence, scientists are constantly improving the design of nuclear reactors to increase safety and reduce the production of nuclear waste. The main barrier to learning about this technology is the relatively high barrier to entry. If you want to work with this technology, one should consider taking courses in radiochemistry and radiopharmacy where you learn to handle radioactive substances in the laboratory. This gives you valuable knowledge about safety and radiation protection. For more detail on applications of nuclear science--be it in mining, agriculture, medicine, electronics, archeology, pest control, or environmental protection--see the following section. |
Applications of Nuclear Science
Mining and Minerals |
Radioactive sources are used widely in the mining industry. Examples include the non-destructive testing of pipeline blockages and welds, measuring the density of the material to be drilled through, testing the dynamic characteristics of blast furnaces, measuring combustible volatile matter in coal, and on-stream analysis of a wide range of minerals and fuels. Mining companies use radionuclides to locate and quantify mineral deposits, to map geological contours using test wells and mine bores, and to determine the presence of hydrocarbons. In milling and flotation operations, instruments using radioactive sources are widespread. These devices have the advantage of providing reliable non-contact measurements.
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Industrial Applications |
A vast array of industries, from agriculture to manufacturing, use radionuclides to assess materials, products, and processes. Just as a medical X-ray allows a doctor to obtain a detailed picture of a bone fracture, an industrial X-ray or gamma-ray examination can provide a foundry worker with a detailed picture of an internal crack in a metal casting. Irradiation of a silicon ingot in a reactor accurately changes its semi-conducting properties. Bombarding silicon with neutrons for precise periods converts some silicon atoms to phosphorus. The computer and electronic industries have a strong demand for this precisely “doped” silicon, whose enhanced properties make it invaluable for use in high-quality electronics, such as those in satellites.
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Researching the environment |
Nuclear science plays a valuable role in helping us understand the history of our environment, how environmental systems function and interact, and the impact that humans are having on the environment. By analyzing isotopic ratios with accelerators, researchers can study paleo-climate variability over millions of years to better understand ocean, land, and atmospheric interactions of the climate system. Isotopic tracers are also used to study and monitor pollution sources, as well as transport and mixing in the lower atmosphere, in order to improve human health.
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Human Health |
Nuclear medicine and radiology are the medical techniques that involve the use of radiation or radioactivity to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. About one-third of all procedures used in modern hospitals involve radiation or radioactivity. These procedures are safe, effective, and don't require anesthetics. They are useful in a broad spectrum of medical specialties: from pediatrics to cardiology to psychiatry. For instance, radioactive substances can be transported to a cancer to destroy the tumor from within. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, chemists, pharmacists and medical scientists.
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Food and Agriculture |
Nuclear techniques are used in farming and agricultural communities to combat disease and provide other benefits. The process of treating food with radiant energy isn't new; the sun's energy, for example, has been used for centuries to preserve meat, fruits, vegetables, and fish. There has been research on the impact of processes such as heating, mixing, and fermenting on the molecular structure of various foods. Another research project uses radio-tracers to investigate a new class of micro- and nano-scale zinc fertilizers for broad-acre crops, such as wheat.
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Archeology |
A wide range of nuclear techniques is used by archaeologists. Historical artifacts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Charlemagne’s Crown, or Kelly Gang's armor, can be dated, and their authenticity verified, using nuclear techniques. Additionally, proof of life has been found by ANSTO scientists for various civilizations--these include proof of the earliest occupation in Australia 65,000 years ago in Kakadu, and the reason for medieval Angkor's decline post-12/13th centuries.
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Irradiation Services |
Irradiation facilities use gamma rays to treat items for medicine, industry, agriculture, and research. Irradiation is the best method for destroying any residual bacteria in human bones and tendons that are used for transplants and grafting in surgery.
Irradiation is an alternative to spraying toxic pesticides. For instance, laboratory-reared fruit flies are sterilized in irradiation facilities. When they are released in a target region they mate with flies of the pest population but create no offspring, thus reducing the overall population. Hence, irradiation is increasingly becoming used to control infestations in commercial growing areas across the world. |
Nuclear Energy |
Nuclear power is one of the fastest growing energy options for countries seeking energy security and low-emission energy solutions. Fission of uranium or thorium is an important technology that can help meet the growing energy demand with minimal emissions of greenhouse gases and use of land.
For instance, the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Framework Agreement has established a partnership through which countries contribute to international work on the development of future nuclear energy technologies. Moreover, researchers from around the world, are contributing to ITER, the world’s largest engineering project, to create fusion energy in France. |
At home |
While natural radiation surrounds us every day, scientists have spent decades refining the use of radiation for the benefit of society. Radiation produced in nuclear reactors or cyclotrons has many other benefits that are integrated into common consumer and household items.
Smoke detectors help save lives and property. The most widely-used smoke detectors contain minute amounts of americium-241. This isotope produces alpha particles at a rate which creates a steady voltage in the air between a pair of electrodes. When this voltage changes significantly--i.e. when there is a variation in the composition of air: smoke--it triggers an audible alarm. |
FAQs on Nuclear Science
USEFUL EXTERNAL RESOURCES BEYOND WORKSHOP MATERIALS
Nuclear Science curriculum by American Nuclear Society: https://www.ans.org/nuclear/science/
Nuclear Science Workshops For Educators: https://www.nuclearscienceweek.org/for-educators/lesson-plans
Nuclear Energy from a research organization's viewpoint: https://www.ansto.gov.au/education/nuclear-facts/benefits-of-nuclear-science#content-tabbed-component--1363
Place to start learning about nuclear power regulation: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-energy-the-science-of-nuclear-power
Nuclear Science Workshops For Educators: https://www.nuclearscienceweek.org/for-educators/lesson-plans
Nuclear Energy from a research organization's viewpoint: https://www.ansto.gov.au/education/nuclear-facts/benefits-of-nuclear-science#content-tabbed-component--1363
Place to start learning about nuclear power regulation: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-energy-the-science-of-nuclear-power
INTERESTING CAREERS TO PURSUE RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE
Nuclear Technician
As a nuclear technician, you will usually assist other specialists in their work. This includes working in areas of radiation safety. You may also aid in research, run nuclear test equipment, or maneuver radioactive materials via remote control.
What Education Will I Need?
Unlike other careers in the field that necessitate more education, becoming a nuclear technician requires only an associate's degree. The degree program will often focus on radiation safety, though other specialties may be offered, such as control and instrumentation or reactor operation. You may also have the option to learn how to do nuclear power plant maintenance during outages.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
With this degree, you should be able to find employment in a variety of facilities. These include hospitals, medical facilities, national laboratories, nuclear power plants, radiopharmaceutical companies, U.S. Department of Energy sites, university labs, and any facilities that handle radioactive waste.
Nuclear Engineer
As a nuclear engineer, you could be involved in designing, maintaining, or operating nuclear power plants. You may also end up designing medical equipment for use by professionals in the field of nuclear medicine. Possibilities also include creating radiation detectors and developing ways to preserve the environment, among others.
What Education Will I Need?
The field of nuclear engineering allows you to work in the field with a bachelor's degree. If you wish to specialize, however, you will want to enroll in a master's degree program, where you can choose a specialty such as plasma physics or fission reactor technology.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
Nuclear engineers work in both the federal and private sectors. You may be able to find federal jobs in government agencies such as the National Nuclear Security Administration or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In the private sector, you can look for employment at defense contracting companies or work for companies involved in the designing of power plants and their control systems.
Medical Physicist
As a medical physicist, you could oversee the quality control and safe use of nuclear medical equipment. You could also work on designing new technologies for use in diagnosis. Medical physicists will often help a physician plan a cancer patient's radiation treatment.
What Education Will I Need?
Graduate degrees in medical physics are available at both the master's and doctorate levels, though one option is to pursue a 4-5 year program that ends with a PhD. You can start specializing as a master's student in areas such as diagnostic imaging, oncology radiation, or nuclear medicine. Certification is available by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Medical Physics.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
You may be able to find employment as a medical physicist - also referred to as a health physicist - in federal agencies. Private sector jobs can be found in medical centers, research hospitals and companies that develop medical radiation devices and treatments.
What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?
Astronomers are PhD educated scientists who study outer space and the celestial bodies within it to try and expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Chemical technicians assist chemists in running experiments and developing substances for their research, typically holding an associate's degree or higher. Mechanical engineering technicians have similar education requirements, assisting mechanical engineers in their work by planning out different jobs through sketches and preliminary calculations.
As a nuclear technician, you will usually assist other specialists in their work. This includes working in areas of radiation safety. You may also aid in research, run nuclear test equipment, or maneuver radioactive materials via remote control.
What Education Will I Need?
Unlike other careers in the field that necessitate more education, becoming a nuclear technician requires only an associate's degree. The degree program will often focus on radiation safety, though other specialties may be offered, such as control and instrumentation or reactor operation. You may also have the option to learn how to do nuclear power plant maintenance during outages.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
With this degree, you should be able to find employment in a variety of facilities. These include hospitals, medical facilities, national laboratories, nuclear power plants, radiopharmaceutical companies, U.S. Department of Energy sites, university labs, and any facilities that handle radioactive waste.
Nuclear Engineer
As a nuclear engineer, you could be involved in designing, maintaining, or operating nuclear power plants. You may also end up designing medical equipment for use by professionals in the field of nuclear medicine. Possibilities also include creating radiation detectors and developing ways to preserve the environment, among others.
What Education Will I Need?
The field of nuclear engineering allows you to work in the field with a bachelor's degree. If you wish to specialize, however, you will want to enroll in a master's degree program, where you can choose a specialty such as plasma physics or fission reactor technology.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
Nuclear engineers work in both the federal and private sectors. You may be able to find federal jobs in government agencies such as the National Nuclear Security Administration or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In the private sector, you can look for employment at defense contracting companies or work for companies involved in the designing of power plants and their control systems.
Medical Physicist
As a medical physicist, you could oversee the quality control and safe use of nuclear medical equipment. You could also work on designing new technologies for use in diagnosis. Medical physicists will often help a physician plan a cancer patient's radiation treatment.
What Education Will I Need?
Graduate degrees in medical physics are available at both the master's and doctorate levels, though one option is to pursue a 4-5 year program that ends with a PhD. You can start specializing as a master's student in areas such as diagnostic imaging, oncology radiation, or nuclear medicine. Certification is available by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Medical Physics.
What Are My Employment Possibilities?
You may be able to find employment as a medical physicist - also referred to as a health physicist - in federal agencies. Private sector jobs can be found in medical centers, research hospitals and companies that develop medical radiation devices and treatments.
What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?
Astronomers are PhD educated scientists who study outer space and the celestial bodies within it to try and expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Chemical technicians assist chemists in running experiments and developing substances for their research, typically holding an associate's degree or higher. Mechanical engineering technicians have similar education requirements, assisting mechanical engineers in their work by planning out different jobs through sketches and preliminary calculations.
HOW TO STAY INTERESTED AND INVOLVED
- Take Physics and Chemistry courses
- Take a Nuclear Physics course
- Join the American Nuclear Society or other nuclear science-related interest groups to get the most relevant news and research
- Study a related major. Universities offer different majors, but the most relevant are Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Nuclear Physics
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