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SNC fleet generates fun and education during Nuclear Science Week

During Nuclear Science Week, which took place Oct. 16 – 20, the Southern Nuclear fleet provided information and led activities pertaining to nuclear technologies and careers with hundreds of students from Georgia and Alabama. Employees from several departments, employee resource groups and SNC’s Core Group spent the week leading site tours, conducting workshops and unique events, and promoting the role that nuclear science plays in our everyday lives.

“Our employee volunteers made this week the celebration that it’s intended to be,” said Ryan Dean, communications supervisor. “They gave their time, their knowledge and most importantly, their energy in making each of these events a success. The schools and students really get into it, and we end up with captive audiences that really want to learn about the science behind what we do.”

The Plant Vogtle Energy Education Center kicked off the week by hosting two earth science classes from Lake Side High School. These students were the first to visit the new Vogtle Energy Education Center where they received an overview of the plant, made a stop by the Vogtle Unit 2 cooling tower and took a tour of a Vogtle 3&4 control room training simulator. Throughout the week Plant Vogtle also had visits from Georgia Southern University, Augusta University and Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness. 

Plant Hatch hosted more than 40 visitors from nearby counties as part of the Georgia High School High Tech program. The program provides youth with disabilities a link to career development experiences and services. The students toured the site and got to talk nuclear science and careers with five Core Group members as part of a panel discussion. 

In addition to tours at SNC’s energy education centers, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Career Connection events took place near Augusta and in Atlanta, and the participants in those events received wonderful support from several company employees. The week’s activities included:

  • Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School -- Employees conducted workshops with more than 100 10th grade students on understanding radiation, electrolysis of water and spent fuel.
  • FIRST Expo Day -- The group of students from STEM Power and Georgia First made a trip to Atlanta to meet with Georgia Power CEO Paul Bowers and other company executives at the Georgia Power headquarters.
  • STEM Career Connection Day -- More than 300 students, teachers and guidance counselors from 21 Augusta-area schools met to learn about career options available to them following graduation.
  • CNTA banquet and lecture -- SNC and Plant Vogtle supported this annual event with a sponsorship, an information table and attendance.
  • Additionally, the Augusta Chronicle featured an SNC employee and Augusta Technical College graduate

Plant Vogtle wrapped up National Nuclear Science Week with an energy fair at Burke County High School in Waynesboro, Ga. SNC and Georgia Power team members took more than 300 students through an immersive hands-on experience that featured energy stations on radiation protection, power generation, security and a reactor simulator. What a great way to finish #nuclearsciweek!