Speak at a School Science Class

Visiting your local high school to talk about nuclear energy can potentially have a huge impact on a students life while simultaneously addressing a major hurdle for nuclear energy. 

The demand for skilled professionals in the nuclear field is rapidly increasing. With an aging workforce and an estimated additional 375,000 new positions needed to be filled in nuclear, you have an opportunity to inspire students to become part of the next generation of the nuclear workforce. With a science class visit you can play an inspirational role, establish yourself as a mentor, and spark wonderment in the future nuclear workforce. 

• Capture Interest and Curiosity:

  • High school is a critical time when students are exploring different career paths and interests. By introducing them to the world of nuclear energy, advocates have the opportunity to capture their interest and curiosity. Many students may not have considered nuclear energy as a potential career path or may have misconceptions about it. A well-prepared talk can dispel myths, highlight the importance of nuclear energy, and ignite a passion for scientific exploration.

• Present Real-World Context:

  • Bringing nuclear energy into the classroom allows students to understand its real-world applications and significance. Sharing examples of how nuclear technology is used in various industries, such as energy production, medicine, and research. By providing concrete examples and illustrating the impact of nuclear science on society, students can better appreciate its relevance and potential for future careers.

• Provide Mentoring and Guidance:

  • Engaging with high school students provides an opportunity for advocates to mentor and offer guidance to aspiring scientists and engineers. Advocates can share their own career journeys, experiences, and insights into the field of nuclear energy. By serving as role models and offering advice on academic paths, internships, and career opportunities, advocates can help students navigate their future educational and professional endeavors.

• Promote Diversity and Inclusion:

  • Diversity and inclusion are essential in the STEM fields to foster creativity, innovation, and excellence. By encouraging students from all backgrounds to pursue STEM education and careers, you can contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable scientific community.

Tips for Success

• Ideally you would attempt to stand out from other class discussions. Going beyond slides and having physical props (uranium pellets, atoms models, geiger counters, etc) can have a more lasting impact. 

• We hope to have some sample talk available to share within the next year, but for now you may need to formulate your own talk. 

  • Make an attempt to add local flavor to your talk. Look into how nuclear energy affects your current community now and its potential.

  • Here is a link to some former public talks that may provide some inspiration. 

    • Note that these are not specifically designed for high school students. 

  • Here is a link to some other useful charts and graphs.

• The best place to start is by getting in touch with the science teacher of the school you are interested in. One great option is to contact your former high school teacher. 

• If the teacher is having difficulty inserting it into their curriculum, inquire if there are any after school programs of clubs that could potentially match.