TAMU-NE Students Attend Short Course on NDA Applications for International Safeguards at ORNL

From November 16-20, 2009, a group of Texas A&M NE students and instructors, along with students from the Bush School, participated in a Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) Applications for International Safeguards Short Course at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Students from NUEN 605 (Radiation Detection and Nuclear Materials Measurements) and NUEN 650 (Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control) learned about applied nondestructive assay measurement techniques in nuclear material safeguards, discussed nonproliferation issues with NSSPI and ORNL staff, and gained first-hand experience in measuring special nuclear material using state-of-the-art technologies. This was the first course to incorporate both nuclear engineering students and international affairs students from the Bush School of Government Affairs and Public Policy. The dialogue between students added to the experience at ORNL when discussing applications of such safeguards measurement techniques.

In addition to the course, all students visited unique ORNL facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source and the X-10 Graphite Reactor, as well as visiting Canberra's high-purity germanium crystal growing facility and ORTEC-AMETEK's main manufacturing facility and germanium crystal growing facility.

See Photo Album from Course

TAMU ANS Student Chapter Helps Local Scouts with Merit Badge

On Saturday, October 24th, The Texas A&M Chapter of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) hosted local Boy Scout Troop 743 to help them complete the requirements for the Nuclear Science Merit Badge. ANS Scouting Coordinator, Wes Deason, organized and planned the event. Wes, a former Eagle Scout, was “excited to help ANS host its first merit badge workshop.”

Scouts spent their entire day at A&M learning about nuclear science. They learned about nuclear interactions, radiation, radiation safety, careers in nuclear science and engineering, and related topics. Scouts also toured the Nuclear Science Center (NSC), located close to campus. Scouts completed all of their requirements for the merit badge during the day-long event.

Texas A&M ANS plans to continue to host this event in the future, and bring in troops from across the state.

Pictured in photos: William Sames and Wes Deason with the troop in front of the Nuclear Science Center (left); Wes Deason teaching troop about nuclear science (right).