Build a Nucleus: K-12 Classroom Investigations

Luisa Vargas Suarez is a recent graduate from the University of Calgary. Having majored in energy science, chemistry, and computer science, she was a developer in the Energy Education team led by Dr. Jason Donev. Luisa launched the multilingual website on Energy Education, and developed data visualizations on our energy use. She developed the Build a Nucleus simulation with the PhET Interactive Simulations team at the University of Colorado Boulder. Luisa presented this simulation at conferences of well-known nuclear associations, where she won the top undergraduate research prize for two consecutive years and the top undergraduate award. Luisa now works at PhET until her upcoming master’s program begins and hopes to begin a career in the nuclear energy industry after graduation.

Jason Donev is a tenured faculty member at the University of Calgary and an adjunct professor at the University of Regina. He leads the world’s largest and most utilized energy education resource for adults, EnergyEducation.ca. Donev teaches several energy courses, including courses that introduce energy in general and nuclear energy to non-technical audiences. He has received local and national awards for teaching and outreach. As a reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Donev works to help people understand nuclear power's role in providing reliable energy without emitting greenhouse gasses. He leads a team that researches how next-generation nuclear reactors have the potential to contribute to fighting climate change.