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Urenco hosts inspiring Discovery Day in celebration of Nuclear Science Week
23 October 2017
On 12 October, Urenco trialled its CREST Discovery Day resource, ‘Enrich my Classroom’ with a US audience for the first time as part of the Nuclear Science Week programme.
Nuclear Science Week is an annual recognition of all aspects of nuclear science. Every year, industry representatives come together to host events to build awareness and celebrate the nuclear science industry. This year, the ‘Big Event’ was held at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, a leading centre for nuclear energy research and development.
In collaboration with INL, Urenco invited local school students from Idaho to participate in the Discovery Day. The resource, which was created in partnership with the British Science Association, aims to engage students in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
During the first part of the day, students investigated a variety of STEM topics, including coding, electricity, ergonomics, magnetism and nanotechnology. A team of experts in each of the five areas helped to guide the students through practical investigations of each topic to enhance their understanding and enable them to apply what they had learnt to their own classrooms. In the afternoon session, students worked in teams to develop new ways to improve or ‘enrich’ their classrooms, with the best idea on the day being awarded top prize.
In addition to the students who participated in the Discovery Day, the resource was also supplied to teachers to run themselves, with a total reach of more than 2,000 students.
Kerry Simmonds, teacher at Mackay Middle School, commented:
“The students were all very excited and enjoyed the project-based learning. Thank you for providing this opportunity for our aspiring engineers and scientists to learn more about nuclear science.”
Jayne Hallett, Director of Corporate Communications at Urenco, said:
“Since launching our Enrich My Classroom resource in the UK last year, we have received incredible feedback with more than 14,000 students participating already. I am pleased that we have been able to widen this reach by introducing it to a US audience, whilst raising awareness of the wider benefits of the nuclear industry.”
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services; operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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