Office of Environmental Management
04/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2024 15:01
STEM That Travels: Savannah River Site Captivates Students
Eric Johnson, at right, manager of Engineering Technical Services at Savannah River Site, conducts a fire protection experiment during the STEM That Travels family event at Millbrook Elementary School in Aiken, South Carolina.
Savannah River Site volunteers support student exploration, discovery
AIKEN, S.C. - Expert scientists and engineers from the Savannah River Site (SRS) are drawing the attention of students in kindergarten through 12th grade classes through the STEM That Travels volunteer program as they enrich science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculums in area schools.
The program is conducted by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), a contractor supporting the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management at SRS.
"Our volunteers work with eight different school districts to support numerous career fairs, STEM-themed events and classroom activities," said Cindy Hewitt, SRS Education Outreach specialist. "The sky is the limit for this program as we continue to craft awe-inspiring demonstrations and interactive lessons."
Eric Johnson, manager of Engineering Technical Services at SRS, volunteered at Millbrook Elementary School's Family STEM Night, demonstrating fire protection engineering and home evacuation plans for over 300 attendees.
"I continue to volunteer for STEM That Travels to provide more insight into fire protection careers and help students understand the importance of fire safety at home," he said.
Savannah River Site Engineering volunteers Nicole Drey, far right, and Daniel Feinauer, second from right, discuss science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career opportunities with Kennedy Middle School students.
Jacque Osteen, Millbrook Elementary principal, said the school is building a strong foundation in cross-curricular math and critical thinking skills.
"STEM demonstrations inspire and motivate parents to introduce math and science careers to their child at an early age. Involving companies like SRNS in Family STEM Nights helps to bring new or niche occupations to light," Osteen said.
For four decades, SRS Education Outreach and the University of South Carolina Aiken Ruth Patrick Science Education Center have partnered to infuse the wonder of science into learning experiences for students. SRS volunteers support area schools by using the education center's science and math kits for educational displays and activities.
"Our volunteers are able to reserve science kits from the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center to conduct demonstrations and experiments," said Hewitt. "We continue to highlight the Department of Energy's mission-critical skills and careers to support a capable workforce."
Four SRS volunteers participated in Kennedy Middle School's Career Reality Fair for more than 340 students.
"Eighth grade is a crucial year for students to explore and discover careers that fit their unique skills and assets," said Ryan Ashley, the school's principal. "We've helped our students develop career clusters based on their strengths and real-world scenarios that can impact salary. Today, they were able to apply that knowledge by connecting with various businesses and professionals in those clusters."
Savannah River Site Engineering Manager Stephanie Hudlow volunteers at South Columbia Elementary School to share engineering career information with over 75 students.
An eighth grade student at Kennedy Middle School, Saradyuti "Sara" Krovvidi dreams of becoming an astrophysicist. She attended the STEM event to explore more opportunities in her career cluster.
"I learned a lot about nuclear engineering from SRS volunteers and I'm now looking into an internship or apprenticeship experience at the Savannah River Site that complements my future career choice," Krovvidi said.
South Columbia Elementary School Educator Lexi Tanner was excited to have SRS volunteers support the school's Career Day, which drew over 225 students and educators.
"Having STEM professionals step into our classroom and create interest in new opportunities helps students imagine their future selves in those jobs," said Tanner. "I would highly recommend this experience to other educators that are looking for new classroom experiences and presentations."
STEM That Travels reaches six schools in South Carolina and two in Georgia. For more information, visit the STEM That Travels website.
-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb
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