Budding future scientists from across Asia and the Pacific, alongside the teachers paving their way, are showing plenty of initiative as they demonstrate how nuclear science and technology can contribute to a better future. Students and teachers from the region have submitted their ideas to the 2021 Virtual Education Exhibition on Nuclear Science and Technology (NST), presented with the support of the IAEA.

More than 20,000 people from over 100 countries have visited the exhibition, part of an extensive online event to encourage secondary school students and teachers to explore the many applications of nuclear science and technology. The exhibition consists of videos selected as the finalists in a competition for schools.

The Virtual NST Education Exhibition Competition

"The NST Secondary Education Competition highlights the impact of the IAEA TC regional project on 'Educating Secondary Students and Science Teachers on Nuclear Science and Technology', in expanding and sustaining education in the Asia and the Pacific Region," said Jane Gerardo-Abaya, Director of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Division for Asia and the Pacific.

The competition, open to high school students from Member States participating in the regional project, encouraged young people to think creatively about the role of NST in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the fields of food security and human health. Teachers also had the chance to present innovative teaching modules for secondary level education.

Overall, participants from 37 schools and institutions of learning in the region submitted no less than 200 videos to the competition, and 20 student and 21 teacher submissions were chosen for display at the virtual exhibition.