EM, STEM Partners Build Student Interest in NNSS Careers

Educators participate in a hands-on activity involving genetic information during an educator professional development training. Photo by Carmina Chavez

Nevada’s scientific research institute is advancing STEM education opportunities to increase students’ interest in careers at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM).

The NNSS is managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the nation’s security. The EM Nevada Program has a presence at the NNSS through its work on environmental restoration, groundwater monitoring and waste disposal at the facility where historic nuclear testing took place from 1951 to 1992.

The three-year collaboration led by the Desert Research Institute (DRI), in partnership with the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas, is funded through the Community Capacity Building Grant Program.

Educators listen to a presentation on careers during an educator professional development training held at the Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas. Photo by Monica Gehrig

The goal of DRI’s project is to prepare the next generation of students in Nevada with educational opportunities leading to careers in energy, waste management and environmental remediation — skills in significant demand at the NNSS.

DRI is achieving this goal by developing science, technology, engineering and math curriculum units for sixth to 12th graders, student field trips, and educator professional development trainings with tours of the NNSS.

“Through this project, we want to allow students to engage with meaningful, real world scientific research, history, and career connections aligned with the NNSS,” said Monica Gehrig, DRI’s STEM Education Training and Outreach administrator and project director.

During the student field trips, students participate in a hands-on science laboratory with DRI scientists, learning about fundamentals of radiation science through interactive experiments, and take a guided tour of the Atomic Museum.

“By connecting real world science to Nevada’s history, we’re helping students see themselves as part of the story, fostering curiosity, confidence and a deeper understanding of the phenomena that shape their world,” said Emily McDonald-Williams, director of the DRI STEM Education Program.

The STEM curriculum units, educator professional development trainings, and student field trips are offered free of charge. This includes waived admission costs to the Atomic Museum, transportation reimbursement to attending schools and shipping of STEM curriculum units to and from any school in Nevada.

Email STEMeducation@dri.edu to learn more.