Trinity Section, American Nuclear Society

Public Information & Outreach (Members Area)

If you are interested in joining the Public Information Committee of the ANS Trinity Section, please contact the PI Committee chair, Carl Willis, (505) 412-3277.

The following steps can help you to get started in communicating to the public about nuclear science and technology issues.

Step 1: Find your audience.

For some, this may already be completed. If you are interested in teaching others about nuclear science and technology, but are unsure where to start, here are some suggestions for potential audiences:

Your children's or grandchildren's classrooms.

Teachers are generally enthusiastic about having experts help them teach a science class.

Your neighbor's children's classroom.

Perhaps there is an upcoming "career day" where you could talk about what nuclear engineers/physicists/etc. do.

Science Fairs at local elementary or middle schools.
Local organizations that you or your friends belong to (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.).
Your children's or grandchildren's classrooms.

Step 2: Gather resources.

This is where ANS Trinity can be a big help. Gathered below are sample presentations on various nuclear science and technology topics. Feel free to use them, combine them, or borrow just a couple of slides ... whatever will make your job easiest. Additionally, ANS National has a PowerPoint Slide Library that is available to national members.

If you would like to get stickers, bookmarks, or informational brochures to hand out at your event, simply fill out the following FORM and email to Carl Willis at least 1 week prior to the event. For large events, please provide at least 3 weeks notice. Examples of available forms can be found at this ANS Public Information Resources Brochures web page. There is no charge for this material.

If you would like to use Geiger counters, radioactive sources, cloud chambers, or a Van de Graff generator for your event, contact the Public Information Committee Chair, Carl Willis. All of these resources are available to loan.

* NOTE: presentations below marked with * are available from the "Members Only" section of the ANS National web site. If you are not an ANS National member and would like to use one of these presentations, please contact Carl Willis.

ANS-Radiation.ppt *		General description of atoms, isotopes, radiation, and half-life - can be tailored to any audience
ANS-Fission.ppt *		General description of fission, including electricity production, safety, transportation, and waste - can be tailored to any audience
ANS-Fusion.ppt *		General description of fusion - can be tailored to any audience
ANS-Medical.ppt *		General description of nuclear medicine - can be tailored to any audience
Careers-in-Nuclear.ppt *		Discusses need for nuclear engineers and the wide range of opportunities in the field - use for middle/high school students
Great-Scientists.ppt		Introduces important nuclear scientists - use with middle/high school students
Radiation-in-the-home.ppt		Discusses/calculates background radiation - use with middle school students
Outreach Toolbox Rev 3.pdf		List of helpful resources from ANS National
Fission.mov		10-second clip showing the fission reaction
Fusion.mov		10-second clip showing the fusion reaction
Chainreaction.mov		5-second clip showing the fission chain reaction
Transportation.mov		2.5-minute clip discussing SNF transportation safety - good clips of cask tests

Step 3: Report your activity.

The ANS Trinity Public Information committee would like to keep track of all nuclear outreach being performed in the area. If you have an upcoming or recently completed event, please email this REPORT to Carl Willis.

Additional resources.

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