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4 | SRNS TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021
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Engineers share expertise during WORCshop@AU

James Mason, an Augusta Preparatory Day School teacher, was
excited to learn about WORCshop@AU and the opportunities it would
provide for his students. “I really like engaging my students in projects
and activities that help them see how the concepts covered in class are
applied in real-life,” said Mason. “The opportunity to have my students
interact with industry professionals from SRNS is going to open their
eyes to careers that they might not otherwise have considered.”
Mason, four other teachers and representatives from Augusta University
toured SRS at the end of July to gain a better understanding of the
problem statement and see firsthand areas of SRS it impacts.
Courtney Bernal, Joseph Newton, Kim Tsakonas, Tyler Gray, James Mason, Shanna Ashley Gess, Augusta University Assistant Professor of STEM/STEAM
Aten and Ashley Gess get ready to go on a driving tour this summer. Education and Program Coordinator of WORCshop@AU, said, “Augusta
University is a public university, and we are here to serve our people. It
is essential for us to listen to what individuals and businesses need and
In an effort to recruit new students into nuclear science programs and work with them to create solutions. WORCshop@AU is one example of
eventually into the nuclear workforce, SRNS engineers are volunteers in this partnership. Building a local workforce is key to SRNS’ continued
Augusta University’s WORCshop@AU program. The program is funded success and part of that process is to meaningfully engage local high
through the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) II school teachers with SRNS through mentorship.”
grant from NNSA and provides opportunities for SRNS employees to
engage high school educators and students. The university expects to understand how to build teacher-business
partnerships more effectively through WORCshop@AU. Their goal is to
Engineers working on the Savannah River Plutonium Processing encourage more students to stay in science, technology, engineering
Facility (SRPPF) Project developed a real-world problem statement that and mathematics disciplines and choose pathways into local workforce
educators from five schools in the region surrounding SRS are using opportunities like those at SRNS.
to teach students engineering problem solving skills. SRPPF is part
of NNSA’s two-site approach to revitalize the nation’s plutonium pit “Students are the workforce of the future, so we appreciate the
production capabilities in support of the nuclear deterrent. Twenty-four employees who are donating their time to this important effort,” said
SRNS volunteers are lending their expertise to help educators and Taylor Rice, SRNS Education Outreach Programs Specialist. “We want
students develop solutions to the problem. to ensure educators are equipped with knowledge and information
about future workforce needs, particularly those at SRS, that will help
“The problem statement we developed was how to most cost them as they influence student career pathways.”
effectively transport approximately 3,000 construction workers to and
from the construction work site at SRS,” said Rick Connolly, SRNS NNSA announced funding for the WORC II grant program in 2020.
NNSA Capital Projects Engineering Deputy Director. “This is a real The $5 million investment supports the development of the future
issue that we could face in a few years, so we’re looking forward to the workforce to carry out vital missions at SRS. Augusta University used
solutions students and their teachers present.” a small portion of those funds to develop a summer teacher workshop
called WORCshop@AU, which began in May, and a learning experience
Evans High School, Hephzibah High School, Augusta Preparatory Day for students from August to December. Growing NNSA missions at
School and Edmund Burke Academy each have one educator in the the Site in support of the nation’s nuclear deterrent prompted NNSA to
WORCshop@AU program. Richmond County Technical Career Magnet enhance its efforts to develop an enduring workforce that will carry out
School has two educators in the program. these long-term missions.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
CSRA College Night goes virtual

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 • 5 - 8:30 p.m.

Registration information and more to come in October.