SRS Team Engages Over 2,600 Students in ‘Discover Engineering’ Week

Highland Springs Middle School students watch as their carefully built earthquake-resistant structure succumbs to the forces of simulated seismic activity on the shake table during a Discover Engineering week event.

AIKEN, S.C. — Fifty engineers from the Savannah River Site (SRS) engaged over 2,600 students from area middle schools in hands-on activities during Discover Engineering week earlier this year, demonstrating how engineering shapes everyday life.

Education Outreach Programs from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the site’s management and operations contractor, are vital to shaping the future nuclear workforce by connecting education, industry and community. The programs draw students from pre-K to high school to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in ways exciting and accessible for all.

Engineers at SRS have devoted thousands of volunteer hours to provide impactful STEM experiences to over 600,000 students, educators and community members since 2008, according to Taylor Rice, SRNS education outreach lead.

“These young minds grow into our next cohort of interns, apprentices and future mission leaders who will deliver critical missions for the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration,” said Rice. “Discover Engineering sparks interest in careers that protect the nation and shape global security one demonstration at a time.”

Highland Springs Middle School team members showcase their complete earthquake-resistant structure alongside a design plan, highlighting their teamwork and engineering creativity.

Hunter Harris, an SRNS process control engineer, volunteered at Highland Springs Middle School, leading a lab on plate tectonics and earthquake-resistant structures. The twist? He was teaching in the classroom of Becky Miller, his former fifth grade teacher.

“This was a full circle moment for me,” said Harris. “I volunteered to show her students how teamwork drives innovation. In engineering, collaboration is key and when diverse ideas come together, great things can happen. Every student has the potential to contribute to something bigger than themselves, and I hope I sparked that curiosity.”

The experience was just as meaningful for Miller.

“Seeing Hunter’s accomplishments since leaving my classroom is proof of what these kids can achieve,” she said. “When students see someone like them succeed, it broadens their horizons and makes STEM careers feel attainable. Investing in local schools strengthens our community and prepares students for the jobs we need to fill locally. It sends a powerful message that their education matters and they are valued as future members of society.”

The students learned how engineers design earthquake-resistant structures by building wooden stick models and testing their stability and survivability on a shake table.

“It was both exciting and slightly nerve-wracking to watch it shake, but our structure held up really well,” shared sixth grader Jaxon Prosser. “This experience really opened my eyes to how many different types of engineering careers exist. It’s made me even more interested in pursuing construction engineering, following in my dad’s footsteps, and learning how organizations like SRS create structures designed to stand the test of time.”

The SRS volunteers also discussed engineering degrees, salaries, recommended courses and strategies for early success.

-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb