Page 9 - SRNS Today January 2022

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Students learn Kathryn Geoffroy, a student on the winning
team, said, “This project gave me an
about nuclear opportunity to not only dive into my future
aspirations of engineering, but it furthered my
problem-solving skills in the world of logistics.
science careers Being able to work with people from SRNS WORCshop@AU teams
opened my eyes to the wide range of jobs
offered at the Site. Additionally, the use of Augusta Preparatory
S RNS partnered with Augusta University Advanced Placement chemistry applications and students Kathryn Geoffroy
Day School
teacher James Mason
and multiple ideas my teammate Hannah
(AU) to create WORCshop@AU, a unique
education outreach opportunity to
importance of electric transportation during the
introduce students to nuclear science careers and I brainstormed allowed us to realize the and Hannah McDonough
(first place winner of
by solving a real-world problem. The program climate crisis.” Best Engineering Student Design)
concluded on Dec. 9, when student teams Mary Flora, SRNS Environmental, Safety
presented their solutions during a friendly & Health, Quality and Waste Management •
competition. Director, and Paul Hunt, an SRNS SRPPF Evans High School
Beginning in August, SRNS engineers Plutonium Modernization Program Manager, the teacher Courtney Bernal
volunteered to mentor students and their two other WORCshop@AU judges, both shared and students Ha’ani Ismael,
teachers while they researched how to cost their educational and career experiences that Yumeka Katonka, Georgia Walden
effectively transport nearly 3,000 construction led them to their current roles. They were and Velmuel Smith
workers to and from the Savannah River excited to see so many students engaged in (second place winner of
Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) this project and a STEM environment. Best Engineering Student Design)
construction work site at SRS. SRPPF is part of AU Assistant Professor and Director of Nuclear •
the NNSA’s two-site approach to revitalize the Science Joe Newton, Ph.D., said, “The student Richmond County Technical
nation’s plutonium pit production capabilities in presentations were amazing. Watching these Career Magnet School
support of the nuclear deterrent. The students students take ownership over their ideas and (Team 1) teacher Carla Biley
presented their solutions to an audience of 150 solutions was so exciting to see. Partnering and students Tamea Dunnom,
people consisting of their peers, educators and with SRNS was a great opportunity to Jaidyn Moore, Rashad Wright,
a three-judge panel. encourage students to stay in STEM disciplines Amarie McNeal and Leila Cortez
“We were very impressed with the quality of and expose them to local career opportunities (third place winner of
presentations and took something away from like those at the Site.” Best Engineering Student Design)
each of them,” said Rick Connolly, SRNS Commenting on the event and mentor •
Operations and Maintenance Director – NNSA volunteers, SRNS Education Outreach
Capital Projects (NCP), speaking on behalf of Programs Specialist Taylor Rice said, “I am Hephzibah High School
the judge’s panel. “You helped solve a problem. thoroughly impressed with the innovative teacher Jeremy Dingman and
Thanks for spending time on this effort and solutions presented by each team. Nineteen students Xavier Argyle,
stepping outside of your comfort zone.” SRNS volunteer mentors assisted these Blayne Gates, Reuben Griffin
Teams presented solutions that are students and teachers throughout the school and Ariel Rineer
environmentally friendly and cost effective. They year as they developed plausible solutions to •
examined options utilizing hydrogen, natural gas an authentic problem. This project was a great Richmond County Technical
or electric buses and encouraged carpooling way to connect industry with classrooms in Career Magnet School
and parking lot expansions. Students also the region.” (Team 2) teacher Nathalie Pace
weighed the safety and security implications of NNSA announced funding for the WORC II grant and students Travis Lee,
increased traffic, important factors for SRS as it program in 2020. The $5 million investment Hannah Rhodes, Laila Anthony,
carries out national security missions. supports the development of the future Melannae Zamor
The winning team from Augusta Preparatory workforce to carry out vital missions at SRS. and Alana Potter
Day School earned the title Best Engineering The Savannah River Site Community Reuse •
Student Design and received a trophy Organization administers and oversees the
and a $100 gift card. The team’s teacher distribution of the grant to academic partner Edmund Burke Academy
James Mason said, “These are hardworking institutions, including AU. A small portion of the teacher Kim Tsakonas and
students, with a strong interest in science, grant was used to develop WORCshop@AU. students Braelyn Reeves,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) Growing NNSA missions at the Site in support Dennis Eberly, Trey III Johnson,
fields, and they really enjoyed working with the of the nation’s nuclear deterrent prompted Braddock Wilson, Luck Poma,
talented engineers from SRNS to explore the NNSA to enhance its efforts to develop an Darcy Rich, Ava Timms,
engineering design process while solving a real- enduring workforce that will carry out these Noah Christian
world problem.” long-term missions. and Jordan Giles