AECL and Nuclear Insights through the Deep River Science Academy

Transcription

1 AECL and Nuclear Insights through the Deep River Science Academy Alistair I. Miller Chalk River Laboratories CNS Workshop on Nuclear Education and Outreach Calgary, 2010 June UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ

2 DRSA s Origins 1986: Cuts to AECL s research budget announced Public response? Total disinterest Lack of public appreciation of the need for R&D Particularly R Local task force set up by Deep River s mayor DRSA An experience of the realities of research for high-school students UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 2

3 Deep River Science Academy Real Science Real Research Real Summer UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 3

4 Real Research Six-week summer science immersion for highschool students Genuine research work on cutting-edge research projects Work in world-class laboratories Work with professional scientists With all its uncertainties and even failures DRSA is a not-for-profit organization, registered charity Overseen by a volunteer board Draws extensively on volunteer involvement UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 4

5 Broad range of projects to choose from Engineering? Biology? Physics? Chemistry? UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 5

6 DRSA s Research Teams Professional Scientist or Engineer Full time Tutor/Research Assistant High School Student High School Student UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 6

7 What happens? Students earn two science co-op highschool credits (approved by Ministry of Education) By hands-on participation in the research project; Then writing a scientific paper; by preparing a poster; and by making an oral presentation University-level tutor provides a bridge to the professionals directing the research Always genuine research; nothing is ever repeated even if it made a neat project last year UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 7

8 Projects from 2009 Hydrogeology and Biogeochemistry of Glaciofluvial Aquifers Graphical Interface for Safety Analysis Structural Transformation and Kinetic Study of Bicelles to Unilaemellar Vesicles Mictostructure Analysis of Zr-2.5Nb Pressure Tubing Determination of Selected Organic Contaminants in Groundwater by HPLC Ion Exchange Effect on the ph of CANDU HTS Coolant Single and two-phase pressure drops over CANDU Bundles Nuclear Radiation and the Perception of Risk Development of gamma-sensitive self-powered detectors UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 8

9 The Technical World is Diverse and Exciting Appreciation of how R&D works and what it does Kindles remarkable enthusiasm Almost all DRSA go on to science or engineering undergraduate degrees Many DRSA students go on to graduate-level degrees Subsiduary benefits of attending the DRSA Exposure to a wide range of career options often helps avoid expensive detours into the wrong course at university Gives an in-depth appreciation of nuclear power UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 9

10 THE DRSA HAS 23 YEARS OF PROVEN SUCCESS Canada-wide, with alumni from all ten provinces and one of the territories One of Canada s oldest summer science camps Even split of men vs. women alumni (49% men, 50% women) 1,170 students over 23 years Large knock-on effect to classmates, families, individual sponsoring bodies UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 10

11 A High-grade Program Attending the DRSA does not come cheap $4800 fee (typical of summer camps but six weeks is unusually long) DRSA provides bursaries averaging ~$1000 Bursaries cover from zero to half fee depending on family circumstances Students are generally able to raise money locally Real cost is ~ $ per student Tutor for twelve weeks Room and board, transportation and recreational program for students Extensive support from industry, governments, foundations and private individuals UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 11

12 A Huge Advertisement for Canada s Nuclear Industry AECL s enthusiastic support makes it all possible Majority of research projects at CRL Tutor salaries paid by DRSA AECL appreciates the benefits Has consistently provided direct financial support Numbers of alumni and tutors have become employees CNS, OPG and Bruce Power also support And many others both inside and outside nuclear sphere DRSA students (and tutors) gain an insiders appreciation of the nuclear industry and its R&D underpinning UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 12

13 Also much Other Funding Both Federal and Provincial Essential component making the DRSA possible Endorsing the importance of research careers And Industries and Foundations Also giving their endorsement Particularly helping less-advantaged students to participate We try very hard to ensure that financial circumstances do not preclude attending the DRSA UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 13

14 Other Key Elements of Support and Recognition Town of Deep River lent the DRSA $ of start-up funds in 1986 Were surprised to be paid back a year later Michael Smith Award in 2004 CNS Outstanding Achievement Award in years of outstanding young Canadian participants whose enthusiasm for science became enthusiasm for research UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 14

15 Students Impressions No longer was it Bunsen burners and beakers in a school laboratory. I was working with a million-dollar laser in a fluid mechanics project Darryl Saban this was definitely a neat experience to have as I was able to work closely with PhD researchers at a private company. I definitely learned more than the project outline, every question I possibly had was answered expertly and well-detailed. It is a positive, first-hand experience of a real research project. Stephen Siu UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 15

16 Students Impressions I competed in the Toronto Sci-Tech Fair with a project entitled Correlating Yeast and Human DNA Repair Genes. There were over 200 competitors at this fair, and I was chosen as one of the top 30 students to move on to the Canada-Wide Science Fair the next day I was told that I had been selected to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair! A great deal of my success can be accounted for from my experiences this summer at DRSA. Krystal Godri UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 16

17 A 24/7 program for 6 weeks»students live in residence under adult supervision for the entire six-week DRSA program, eating together and participating in recreational activities. UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 17

18 Learn, laugh, play and make life-long friends UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 18

19 New Inreach Concept Starting in 2010 Fall, DRSA is launching a variant program: Inreach Using web to allow students at a remote location to follow an R&D project in once- or twice-weekly interactive sessions Filmed clips of developments Students look over the tutor s shoulder and discuss what is happening and what comes next Less-rich experience than existing DRSA but far cheaper and can reach a much larger audience Federal government funding has been secured for pilot project UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 19

20 DRSA Benefits to AECL & Beyond Summer students (tutors) are free issue Future recruitment opportunities YOUTHFUL VIBRANCY Great PR for the nuclear industry UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 20

21 The DRSA s Vision We live in a complex world and the planet is in peril without technical intelligence within society Which planet is it? A vital component of its clean energy supply Visit UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 21