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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2025
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
Star Trek or Planet of the Apes?
Craig Piercycpiercy@ans.org
These days, the ship of civil nuclear technology we are all aboard is sailing through a turbulent passage. The winds and currents are favorable, but there are swells ahead: steep energy-demand projections, buoyant equity valuations, splashy announcements, a generational realignment of nuclear policies and institutional norms.
Part of the reason we chose “Building the Nuclear Century” as the theme for this year’s Winter Conference was to put some ballast in the hull of the nuclear conversation.
Advanced nuclear fission and fusion energy development are accelerating, both here and around the world. And yet, at least in the U.S., we are still years away from connecting commercial Gen IV systems to our grid.
In a world growing increasingly impatient, how do we stay on task and deliver? There are three ingredients to success.
ANS makes teaching nuclear science a little less intimidating and empowers educators to ensure student success. We produce webinars led by professionals, academics, and researchers on a range of nuclear-related topics, from nuclear energy and radiation to nuclear science across the curriculum. Check out the recordings of our latest webinars below!
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Overview of ANS STEM Programs and Resources
Join ANS Senior Manager of STEM programs Uchenna Ezibe for an overview of what ANS can provide to students, educators, and the public regarding nuclear science and technology education. Along with an overview of existing programs and resources, Uchenna will share recent developments and what's on the horizon regarding ANS STEM efforts.
Radiological Risk in PerspectiveRadiation is all around us—but how risky is it, really? Robert Hayes, Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering at NC State University, puts radiological risk into perspective using data-driven comparisons and real-world examples. He examines how radiation exposure is measured, what levels are considered safe, and how public perception often diverges from scientific consensus.
The How, Why, and Where of Nuclear WasteThis Educator Training webinar discusses what is either nuclear energy’s greatest weakness or greatest strength: nuclear waste. Chris Perfetti from the University of New Mexico’s Department of Nuclear Engineering will define nuclear waste, explore how much waste we have to dispose of, and review several options for nuclear waste disposal, ranging from the ideal, to the plausible, to the absurd.
The Quest for Gold: Exploring Nuclear Transmutation
Alchemists have been trying to make gold out of other elements for centuries. Can nuclear science finally make this dream a reality? Join nuclear alchemist Candace Davison as she explores nuclear science’s approach to making “gold," how nuclear transmutation works, and the many ways we benefit from this process. During this Educator Training webinar, she shares activities and resources to teach transmutation concepts, including the Radioactivity Game, Chart of the Nuclides, and the ANS Isotope Discovery App.
Beyond Electricity: Exploring Non-Power Nuclear Applications
Dive into the fascinating world of nuclear technology beyond electricity generation and explore the vital role nuclear science plays in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and space exploration. From life-saving cancer treatments to innovative food preservation techniques, this webinar will teach you all about how nuclear technology enhances our everyday lives. You will also gain insight into cutting-edge research and classroom-ready resources to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Unlocking the Invisible: An Introduction to Scintillators, Semiconductors, and Gamma Spectroscopy
Join us for a deep dive into the world of radiation detection and explore the science behind scintillators and semiconductors, key components in detecting and measuring radiation. Through a live demonstration of gamma spectroscopy, participants gained an understanding of how these tools are used in fields ranging from medical imaging to environmental monitoring.
Exploring Background Radiation: K-12 Classroom InvestigationsNuclear science experiments don’t need exotic equipment. You can create an engaging background radiation lab exploration with a vacuum cleaner and a coffee filter. Candace Davison, former Assistant Director for Education and Outreach and Coordinator of the Gamma Irradiation facility at Penn State, shows how to collect and detect radon in your classroom.
In the lab with nuclear scientists: Critical and Sub-critical AssembliesImagine a reactor that doesn't produce power. These "critical assemblies" are essential in conducting experiments using fissionable materials. Learn how they are used by scientists at Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia national laboratories.
Build a Nucleus: K-12 Classroom Investigations
Learn about Build a Nucleus, a new simulation from the University of Colorado Boulder’s PhET Interactive Simulations. The simulation's creator, Luisa Vargas Suarez of PhET, demonstrates Build a Nucleus’s capabilities and the classroom investigations and learning goals it supports.
Microreactors:Nuclear Power in a Small, Modular PackageMicroreactors are big news in clean energy technology. Learn what they are, how they work, and their benefits from Piyush Sabharwall, senior staff nuclear research scientist and technical lead for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy's Microreactor R&D Program at Idaho National Laboratory.
Radioisotopes:Nuclear Applications Beyond EnergyJulie Ezold, Californium-252 Program Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, presents background on radioisotopes, how they are made, and their uses for applications beyond nuclear energy.
Decoding Radioactive Decay: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and More
Whether you're new to teaching radioactive decay or looking for a refresher, Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar makes this complex topic easier to understand
Integrating Energy Systems for a Greener FutureShannon Bragg-Sitton, Director of the Integrated Energy and Storage Systems Division at Idaho National Laboratory, presented Department of Energy research about optimizing energy sources through integrated systems.
Measuring Radiation:K-12 Classroom InvestigationsAmber Johnson, director of the University of Maryland Radiation Facilities and Senior Reactor Operator, demonstrates inquiry-based activities for measuring radiation..
Visualizing Radiation: Making Radiation Real with Cloud Chambers
Candace Davison, former Assistant Director for Education and Outreach and Coordinator of the Gamma Irradiation facility at the Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center, shows how to set up and use cloud chambers successfully.
What About the Waste? Managing the Nuclear Fuel CycleMary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, a professor at Idaho State University and former ANS president, explains the nuclear fuel cycle.
Nuclear Energy: Fission, Fusion, and the Future:Learn the basics and the latest in nuclear energy from Eric Loewen, chief consulting engineer for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and ANS President 2011-2012.
