Breazeale Nuclear Reactor

The Pennsylvania State University Breazeale Nuclear Reactor (PSBR) is the nation’s longest continuously operating university research reactor, having first gone critical in 1955.  The PSBR is a product of former-President Dwight Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace speech given in 1953.  At that time, the president of Penn State was Milton Eisenhower, former-President Eisenhower’s brother.  The project was approved and reactor design was begun by two Oak Ridge National Laboratory nuclear engineers (William Breazeale, after whom the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor is now named, and Robert Cochran).  Dr. Breazeale, the first Nuclear Engineering professor at Penn State, oversaw the construction and was the first person to receive a reactor operator’s license from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).  Early in the development of nuclear power plants, the PSBR served as a training facility for individuals to earn their reactor operator’s licenses. 

The PSBR serves as a research reactor across many academic and industry fields.  In addition to research, the PSBR also provides a venue for educational outreach about the nuclear industry.  The PSBR staff and Nuclear Engineering students have hosted countless group tours and educational visits.  Women in Nuclear, Scout Merit Badge Programs, and the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute are just a few of these programs.  

During this optional trip, you will have the opportunity to learn about educational opportunities and discuss nuclear engineering with current Penn State staff and students.  This is a rare opportunity to visit an operating nuclear reactor and talk with reactor operators.  We hope you take advantage of this and come prepared with any and all questions!