Basic nuclear

Published: 01 February, 2007

From 2-5 January, 30 students from across the UK enjoyed a unique learning experience. Sponsored by Nexia Solutions, the company at the core of the UK's National Nuclear Laboratory as announced by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, The Smallpeice Trust provided a brand new four-day residential nuclear engineering course for 15 and 16 year old students.

The course provided an introduction to the sometimes complex subject of nuclear engineering through a series of simple analogies and experiments.

Gareth Thomas, Nexia Solutions Communications Manager explains: “Students have taken part in experiments that show how ‘ordinary’ science can be used in nuclear science. For example, Nexia Solutions have used a ground-penetrating radar device to locate buried materials and have used CCTV to look inside pipes.”

By breaking nuclear down to a basic level, many of the problems were solved using basic scientific and engineering principles, with the added complication of radiation. This is explained through the discovery of ‘ordinary’ materials that have levels of radioactivity in them such as smoke detectors, brazil nuts and rocks in the ground.

The course provided curriculum enrichment activities for maths, science and technology, with practical design and make projects supported by professional. In addition students gained personal skills development in team working, presentations, communication and problem solving, whilst enjoying an “early” experience of university life.

The Nuclear engineering course is run by the independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust as part of an ongoing programme of residential courses designed to help young people learn and develop skills in engineering, design and management.

Tel: 01926 333200 Web: www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk

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