$1,900 Visit to Brookhaven National Laboratory (Collaborate Projects)

• The City College of New York (CCNY) American Nuclear Society Student Section utilized grant funding to organize an educational visit to Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). This immersive experience exposed students to cutting-edge nuclear research and real-world applications beyond the classroom. The day included presentations on BNL’s research programs, internship opportunities, and the development of the Electron-Ion Collider, fostering awareness of career paths in nuclear science. Students engaged in hands-on activities, such as radiation detection exercises, where they identified radioactive isotopes using specialized tools. They also toured the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS II), gaining firsthand insight into advanced instrumentation and experimental setups. Highlights included observing BNL’s modified Boston Dynamics robot dog equipped with radiation sensors and interacting with researchers who shared their work and experiences.
• The visit significantly impacted participants by deepening their understanding of nuclear research and inspiring interest in pursuing careers in the field. Exposure to internship and research opportunities at BNL is expected to lead to future applications from CCNY students. Additionally, the trip strengthened community bonds within the student section, creating a sense of belonging and collaboration among like-minded peers.
• Overall, the visit achieved its goals: enhancing knowledge, sparking enthusiasm for nuclear science, and connecting students with professional networks. Despite logistical challenges, the experience was highly valued and is likely to influence students’ academic and career trajectories in the nuclear sector.

$4,878 - Project Development Committee - 2024 (K-12/Public Awareness and Communication)

• The Project Development Committee (PDC) of the ANS UIUC Student Section had a highly impactful year, combining educational outreach, technical skill-building, and community engagement. Meeting weekly, the committee empowered over 40 students from diverse academic backgrounds to design, build, and present nuclear-themed projects aimed at inspiring interest in nuclear science and technology.
  • Educational Outreach:
    PDC’s projects were showcased at the Engineering Open House (EOH), attracting over 35,000 visitors, including many middle and high school students. The exhibits sparked curiosity, dispelled myths about nuclear energy, and encouraged students to consider careers in nuclear engineering. Notably, more than 10 high school students expressed interest in the field, and past outreach has already led to at least four students enrolling in UIUC’s nuclear engineering program.
  • Award-Winning Impact:
    The committee won two prestigious EOH awards:
    • 2nd Place: Distinguished Technology Award
    • 3rd Place: Outstanding RSO Exhibit
      These accolades reflect the quality and innovation of the projects developed.

$1,425 - Nuclear Science Exposition (Collaborative Projects/K-12)

• The ANS Oak Ridge Knoxville Local Section in partnership with the ANS University of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Section and the local Women in Nuclear (WIN) chapter, will host a Nuclear Science Exposition that aims to introduce late elementary and middle school students—particularly those from Title 1 schools in the Knoxville area—to the fundamentals and real-world applications of nuclear science. Through engaging lessons and hands-on demonstrations, the event will highlight the role of nuclear science in everyday life and present it as a viable and exciting career path. Activities will include radiation detection with Geiger counters, half-life calculations using candy, and a critical mass demonstration with ping pong balls. The exposition supports the mission of the American Nuclear Society by promoting the beneficial uses of nuclear technology and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

$5,000 - Efforts to Advocate Nuclear Energy (Collaborative Projects/K-12/Public Awareness and Communication)

• The ANS Kennesaw State University student section aims to promote awareness, education, and engagement in nuclear science and engineering through a series of dynamic events to be held throughout 2025. These include expert-led seminars, facility tours, recruitment activities, classroom presentations, high school workshops, and Boy Scout merit badge events. The initiative targets university students, faculty, high school students, and the broader Georgia academic community. By connecting participants with professionals from organizations like the U.S. NRC, INPO, ORNL, and the Navy, KNS fosters interest in nuclear careers and supports enrollment in KSU’s Nuclear Engineering Minor. The events are designed to be informative and interactive, featuring hands-on experiments, reactor simulators, and engaging giveaways. The program also strengthens collaboration with other Georgia universities and enhances student recruitment through fun, accessible outreach. Success will be measured by participation rates, student engagement in nuclear programs, and growth in KNS membership.
  • Completed as of Spring 2025:
    • 5 seminars: CRANE Nuclear, DOE's Savannah River Site, GA Commissioner Echols, Southern Company, and Dr. Alexander Sich.
    • a tour of Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant, Hollywood, AL
    • Workshop for High School Teachers
    • Boy Scouts Nuclear Science Merit Badge

      
      

$5,000 - Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL) - Spring 2024 (K-12)

• The section hosted a hands-on, science-based outreach event that allowed high school students and underclassmen in the Golden and broader west Denver area to experientially discover the joy of nuclear science and learn about the nuclear technology that enhances modern life. The program consisted of a series of laboratory exercises, with the intention of leaving the math behind and focusing on lab activities that are simple, exciting, and educational. Three half-hour labs included:
  • Introduction to Radiation and Detection
  • Converting Heat to Electricity
  • PUREX: Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing by Solvent Extraction

$3,500 - Girl Scouts Get to Know Nuclear Patch Workshop (K-12)

• The section hosted a workshop for 34 local girl scouts on May 18, 2024, which included several hands-on stations for the scouts to meet the requirements for the Get to Know Nuclear patch offered by ANS. Scout favorites in included Seeing the Unseen (building a cloud chamber) and Fission vs Fusion.
• Reported outcomes included:
  • 82% learned about a new college major or STEM related program
  • 74% increased their knowledge of what scientists and engineers do
  • 79% want to learn more about nuclear

$700 - Nuclear Energy Science and Technology (NEST’24) Seminar (Collaborative Projects/K-12)

• 40 High School students from two nearby schools, Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and Shaurya International School Jammu were invited to IIT Jammu to attend the one day seminar. Apart from this, the seminar was attended by UG and PG students of IIT Jammu.
• Eminent Scientists and Professionals from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Govt of India, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), were invited as guest speakers to talk about the various fronts of the Indian Nuclear Program.

$4,600- Academic Tour to Perry Nuclear Power Plant (Collaborative Projects)

• The grant enabled the ANS Ohio State University Student Section to organize an academic tour of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, providing students with a valuable hands-on learning experience beyond the classroom. Through direct exposure to an operating boiling water reactor facility, participants strengthened their technical understanding of reactor design, safety systems, radiation protection, and spent fuel management, as demonstrated by measurable gains in post-tour knowledge assessments. The tour also supported professional development by facilitating face-to-face interaction with plant engineers, operators, and management, giving students insight into day-to-day nuclear industry operations and diverse career pathways. These interactions expanded students’ professional networks and created opportunities for future internships and employment. Overall, the grant significantly enhanced technical education, career awareness, and industry engagement for student section members.

$5,000 - Sponsorship support for the Future Net-Zero Innovators (FuNZI) student symposium at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) (Collaborative Projects)

• Students from Idaho hosted the first ever Future Net-Zero Innovators (FuNZI) student symposium at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls, Idaho from March 29-31, 2023. The primary mission of FuNZI was to provide an opportunity for students to present their research while learning about the multifaceted approaches to increasing sustainability while also reducing carbon emissions. The FuNZI organization committee was led by students who are members of the American Nuclear Society, primarily at Boise State University (BSU) and University of Idaho. Our student sections are dedicated to forging a future of net-zero emissions as well as contributing to the environmental targets set by our nation.
• The symposium was open to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in carbon neutrality and currently attending schools in the Mountain West. The organization committee defined the mountain west region as Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Students were invited to prepare a poster and/or presentation in the following topic areas:
  • Additive manufacturing, Advanced materials, Computational modeling, Energy storage, Environmental energy engagement, Fusion energy, Nuclear energy, Renewable sources, Sustainability, and Waste Management

$5,000 - Live Captioning for Computational Research Access Network (CRANE) Workshops (Collaborative Projects)

• During the 2023 season, CRANE hosted 20 online workshops to provide a collaborative and inclusive environment to teach a computational nuclear science and engineering curriculum from the very basics of python programming to advanced algorithms.
• Having live captioning allowed the section to be inclusive to students with disabilities and those who are not native English speakers (such as students from Puerto Rico and Mexico), who can benefit from seeing English written as they listen.

$5,000 - High School Public Outreach (Collaborative Projects/K-12)

• On March 30, 2023, the ANS University of Pittsburgh Student Section and the Pittsburgh Local Section held a full-day joint outreach event focused on engaging with and educating local high school students. The ANS Pittsburgh section has many years of experience in successful nuclear outreach events - such as Boy Scout nuclear badge, DiscoverE, and school outreach activities. This new joint event leveraged this experience combined with the energy and enthusiasm of the Pittsburgh student section. The purpose of the event was to teach students about nuclear technology and power generation. Participants learned how a nuclear reactor works, the benefits of nuclear power, secondary education options, and career paths in the nuclear industry.
• The University Prep school in the Pittsburgh School District (Millones School) brought 16 students to Westinghouse headquarters for a day-long field trip. This field trip included presentations from ANS members, hands-on activities, and a tour of the Westinghouse AP1000 control room simulator.