Welcome to Nuclear Science Week! Nuclear Science Week is an international week-long celebration to focus local, regional and international interest on all aspects of nuclear science. The focus is educating the public on the 5 pillars of nuclear science: Carbon-Free Energy, Global Leadership, Transformative Healthcare, Innovation & Technology, and Space Exploration. But to begin, you must first understand atoms - the source of nuclear energy. 

Today, you will make a model of an atom and learn about nuclear fission!

Step 1: To begin, you have to learn some basics about nuclear energy. Read Marie’s Electric Adventure ebook or listen to the read aloud video to learn about nuclear energy. Think about how atoms turn into energy.

Step 2: Technology gives us the chance to see atoms like never before. Explore "Build an Atom" using the PhET simulation to learn how atoms are structured. Read about how atoms become nuclear energy on this website.

Step 3: Now that you've explored the structure of an atom, it's time to get creative! Start by collecting some supplies. What will you use to build an atom? Build Your Own Atom with candy or with craft supplies.

Step 4: Make a model of uranium with everyday items with this video guide. Want to know more about uranium’s role in nuclear energy? Check out this website to learn more or play the Palo Verde Fission Mission game.

Step 5: Be sure to ask an adult to share your atom models on social media using #MakerMonday & #LearningInPlaceTN!



Additional Resources:

U.S. NRC activities

ANS coloring pages

Nuclear energy provides an alternative to coal and natural gas as a source of electricity. Electricity from nuclear power plants began over 50 years ago. But many people don't understand how it works and the benefits of nuclear energy over coal or natural gas. Nuclear energy is sometimes seen as scary, but in the last 50 years, nuclear energy has grown in use and provided energy to countless people.

Today, you will explore nuclear energy and Tennessee’s role in nuclear power!

Step 1: Let’s start with discovering what nuclear energy is. Read this article to learn about nuclear energy or watch this Nuclear 101 video. What does it mean to be radioactive? What is the difference between fission and fusion?

Step 2: Ever wonder how nuclear power is created? Read this article to discover how it's made. As you read, think about: How is nuclear power generated? What percentage of electrical power comes from nuclear plants?

Is nuclear power safe? See how much electricity is generated by nuclear power in each state here.

Step 3: What is ITER? Will ITER use fission or fusion? Take a look inside this massive electromagnet in the Building the Heart of ITER video.  Play this matching game to learn about advancements in nuclear technology.

Step 4: Did you know we use nuclear energy in TN? This video explains Oak Ridge National Laboratory's contribution to nuclear energy and the discovery of Tessinine. Find out how ORNL produced tech fuels NASA's Perseverance mission to Mars here. Find out about TVA's nuclear power involvement here.

Step 5: Ask a family member to share what you learned about nuclear energy on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!



Additional Resources:

U.S. Department of Energy - nuclear energy video playlist

Nuclear Network episodes

As nuclear energy rises in popularity and use, jobs related to nuclear science and energy are also increasing. You may thing that the only career that uses nuclear technology is a scientist, like Marie Curie, but there are so many more options! Nuclear science careers span a wide variety of fields including research, engineering, sciences, manufacturing, medicine, and more!

Today, you will explore potential careers related to nuclear energy!

Step 1: Nuclear Medicine combines imaging, patient care, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine. Learn how Sandra Davern is developing medical isotopes to fight cancer here. More detailed information about this career is here.

Step 2: Innovations in manufacturing and research careers are transforming nuclear science. Additive Manufacturing is innovating nuclear science as ORNL develops and deploys 3D printed reactor components. Watch here. The Picture an Innovator series highlights ORNL female innovators.

Step 3: Nuclear careers are diverse in running a nuclear power plant. This poster explains how a Nuclear Regulatory Commission resident inspector keeps a nuclear plant operating safely. Watch these career videos about nuclear engineers and nuclear power reactor operators.

 Step 4: Physicists play an important role in nuclear energy. What’s a typical day like? Watch this video to find out. Get detailed information about a career as a physicist from the CareerOneStop website.

Step 5: Ask a family member to share something you learned about one of the careers using #FutureFridayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!

Additional Resources:

Careers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission video playlist

10 Jobs in Nuclear Starting at $60K or Higher