IIT to Host National Nuclear Science Day January 25

Update: Photos from Nuclear Science Day at IIT

The IIT College of Science and Letters is proud to host the National Nuclear Science Day, a part of National Nuclear Science Week, on January 25. This one-day signature event showcases ways to “Get to Know Nuclear,” with presentations webcast to hundreds of classrooms around the country, an interactive art experience, and a visit by Simona de Silvestro, driver of the Nuclear Clean Energy IZOD IndyCar #78.

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“What a rare opportunity to experience nuclear science with leading national experts, through colorful works of art and more,” said Jim Walther, director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.” It is an honor to work with Illinois Institute of Technology to host such an impressive array of individuals to tell the story of nuclear science.”

The National Nuclear Science Day presentations and other activities will take place between 9:45 am – 3 pm in the MTCC Auditorium and Hermann Hall.

Webinar presentations will address a wide variety of nuclear topics:
• “Green Power for the Digital World” – 10 am
Presented by Marv Fertel, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and Natalie Woods, engineer at River Bend Nuclear Power Station in Louisiana.
• “What’s Cool About Nuclear Science and Why Our Country Needs Nuclear Electricity” – 11 am
Presented by Mark Peters, Deputy Director for Programs, Argonne National Laboratory, and Justin Thomas, Principle Nuclear Engineer, Argonne National Laboratory.
• “Why Nuclear Medicine is Important to Me” – 1 pm
Presented by Nicholas C. Friedman, MD, chair of Nuclear Medicine at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, from Society of Nuclear Medicine.
• “Shaping the Nuclear Future” – 2 pm
Presented by Jeff Terry, Chair, Advanced Test Reactor Users Organization Director, Health Physics Program and Associate Professor of Physics at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Approximately 800 to 1,400 classrooms will view the webcast throughout the day, representing more than 20,000 students and teachers across the country. The webcast is open to the public and instructions and sign up information can be found here.

Other activities for the day include the Pop Atomic Studio Art Show and Interactive Art Experience that uses the power of visual and liberal arts to enrich the public discussion on nuclear energy, as well as an opportunity to interact with the Nuclear Clean Energy IZOD IndyCar #78 and driver, Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Simona de Silvestro. Master’s and doctoral-level students will be on hand to explain and discuss research projects during lunch to physics, chemistry and science students from Chicago schools.

“This week is an opportunity for educators, industry and citizens across our country to speak out about the critical value of nuclear science and technology to our future energy security and economic competiveness,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “As a platform for a nationwide discussion on the need to recruit the next generation of students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, National Nuclear Science Week plays an important role.”

National Nuclear Science Day is orchestrated by a partnership between the host organization, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, and nuclear industry partners, including the National Science Teachers Association, Exelon Corporation, the American Nuclear Society, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Entergy Corporation and Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Science and Letters.