FOR RISING 11TH-12TH GRADERS
JUNE 23 – 29, 2019
Campers will explore nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering disciplines through many hands-on projects and demonstrations. Through individual and team activities, participants will investigate the disciplines of nuclear energy, plasma and fusion technologies, and radiological science. They will consider questions like:
• How does a nuclear reactor work, and how does it impact the nation’s energy production?
• What are the issues regarding nuclear reactor safety?
• What is radiation and how is it controlled?
• What is plasma and what are its uses?
• How do plasmas contribute to the field of medicine?
• How does a radiation detector work?
• What are some of the beneficial uses of radiation?
These questions are answered through lectures, hands-on activities, and team projects. Campers will see nuclear, plasma. and radiological engineering in practice through laboratory demonstrations and field trips such as:
• Measuring radiation using Geiger counters and other devices
• Seeing a mousetrap reactor simulate a nuclear reaction
• Experiencing radiation through a cloud chamber demonstration
• Touring a virtual nuclear reactor
• Uing virtual and lab simulations to learn about radiation dosages. half-life, and shielding
• Observing confined plasma and interacting with a plasma ball
• Crushing cans to understand magnetic pressure in plasmas
• Touring HIDRA, NPRE’s unique plasma/fusion facility (Shown immediately to the right).
• Touring a plasma nanotechnology facility and labs that make the machines that make semi-conductor chips
• Touring the radiological Instrumentation Laboratory
• Touring the soft robotics lab
