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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
August 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Scouts of all ages anywhere in the world can learn about nuclear science and technology through the Get to Know Nuclear patch developed by the American Nuclear Society and the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Girl Scout Council.
Get to Know Nuclear is earned by scouts working together. Many troops hold in-person workshops where troops earn the patch in a single day, but workshops don’t have to be in person! Workshops can be completed virtually or using a combined approach.
We’ve gathered the resources troops need to hold a patch event online or person-to-person. And we’re happy to connect you with an ANS member experienced in Get to Know Nuclear patch events to assist your troop. Just contact us at askanything@ans.org
The BSA offers a Nuclear Science Merit Badge, which was developed with assistance from American Nuclear Society members. The resources provided here may also be used in meeting some of the Nuclear Science Merit Badge requirements.
Requirements
Requirements to earn Get to Know Nuclear focus on learning about nuclear science and technology through teamwork and engaging activities. While the requirements are most suitable for older scouts, they are also flexible, so scouts of all ages can get to know nuclear!
Discuss: What is the electromagnetic spectrum? What are atoms? How are they structured? What is the difference between an atom and an isotope? What makes an atom stable?
Learn about atomic structure and more
Radiation Basics PowerPoint (includes atomic structure)
Activities (do one)
Contact
Last modified March 6, 2024, 12:25pm CST