Page 8 - SRNS_Today_August_2021

8 | SRNS TODAY | AUGUST 2021

Education Outreach makes the grade

I n just one month this year, SRNS provided education outreach SRS virtual field trips showcase science lessons about the Site,
targeting students with educational content specific to their grade
to more than 25,000 students and 410 educators.
SRNS has been sharing its diverse science, technology, engineering levels. Some of the field trip lessons help participants determine
and mathematics (STEM) outreach program with local public and the health of a pond, or assist endangered species, such as the
private schools since 2008, when it became the Site’s management red-cockaded woodpecker. Students can also explore the inner
and operations contractor. workings of a mass spectrometer in a Site laboratory. It is a highly
sensitive piece of equipment that allows laboratory personnel to
“Elementary school through college, the statistics over the years separate individual components of a substance, resulting in the exact
validate SRNS support for quality education throughout the region,” identification of each component and the amount present in the
said Kim Mitchell, SRNS Education Outreach Programs. “It’s truly an substance being tested.
honor to assist and serve these amazing teachers and wonderful
students who are the lifeblood of our future.” “Feedback from educators and administrators affirm that the SRNS
Education Outreach Program has been highly successful, significantly
To date, SRNS has provided more than $5 million for education impacting school systems throughout South Carolina and the greater
outreach, supporting more than 275,000 students and teachers Augusta, Georgia area,” said Mitchell.
throughout seven counties near SRS.
The SRNS STEM-intensive offerings include a traveling science
“We value the transformative community partnerships we have with demonstration program, workshops, tours, talks, demonstrations and
organizations like Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, and the 12 other content.
outreach programs they provide that directly impact our faculty and
students,” said King Laurence, Aiken County Public School District Some programs test the depth of students’ knowledge and experience.
Superintendent. “Whether it’s $1,000 mini-grants for teachers or They include the South Carolina Regional Science Fair, DOE Savannah
dozens of scientists and engineers visiting our schools, we look River Regional Science Bowl and the Regional Future City Competition.
forward to years of continued success with SRNS.” SRNS also offers annual mini-grants to area teachers through corporate
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted SRNS to develop innovative funding. To date, SRNS has contributed more than $700,000 to support
methods and incorporate cutting-edge technology to reach students educators in the region.
and educators, creating multiple virtual platforms for that audience. To reach local adults pursuing higher education degrees, SRNS has
signed memorandums of understanding with local technical colleges,
“We’re confident that virtual reality technology and web-based apps will
strongly and positively impact students and teachers,” Mitchell said. historically Black colleges and universities, and other four-year degree
“And in time, when we return to business as usual, these tools will institutions such as the University of South Carolina Aiken.
continue to reach a much broader group throughout the region than SRNS Education Outreach positively affected more than 45,000
we’ve documented in the past.” students and educators during 2020 to 2021.