Isotek employees volunteer to support student learning at Jefferson Middle School’s annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Night.
Isotek employees volunteer to support student learning at Jefferson Middle School’s annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Night.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Employees from Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) contractor Isotek recently supported a local middle school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Night, which attracted hundreds of students and their family members.

The annual STEM Night has been a major attraction since Jefferson Middle School began hosting it in 2019. The event increases students’ awareness of STEM technologies and careers, and provides hands-on learning activities. It also gives local companies and organizations a unique opportunity to engage with students.

Watch this video to see more of Isotek’s involvement at STEM Night.

About 500 people attended this year’s STEM Night. Isotek was one of more than 20 local groups that set up interactive learning exhibits.

Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management contractor Isotek demonstrated how its employees use gloveboxes to handle radiological material in a controlled setting.
Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management contractor Isotek demonstrated how its employees use gloveboxes to handle radiological material in a controlled setting.

“We do this to expand the concept of STEM by showing all these different technologies and experiences to kids who might not ever have the opportunity to see it, experience it, or even know that it’s out there,” Jefferson Middle School STEM Coach Alex Goldberg said. “The kids are pretty excited. It’s really great to see.”

Isotek’s exhibition allowed students to experience how the company’s employees conduct processing operations in gloveboxes. Middle school students dressed in protective suits and put their hands in a glovebox designed for practice and training. The experience showed how gloveboxes are used to handle radiological material in a controlled setting.

Isotek also demonstrated how its employees control nuclear material, weigh material and extract rare medical isotopes that support cancer treatment research.

“I just love seeing all the kids get excited,” said Melissa Hope, Isotek nuclear material control and accountability manager.

“We had fun and we’ll be back for Robertsville Middle School’s STEM Night,” said Isotek Data Manager Linda Gilpin, referring to another local STEM Night.

Isotek is responsible for processing, downblending and eliminating the inventory of uranium-233 material stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is OREM’s highest priority at the site. Through a partnership with nuclear innovation company TerraPower, the contractor is also extracting thorium-229 to support cancer treatment research.