Page 4 - SRNS_Today_June_2021

4 | SRNS TODAY | JUNE 2021

In the Beam,

Science in

the Fast Lane

SRNS First Line Manager Nancy Norris loads material into a mass spectrometer for analysis at SRS.

T hrough the world of virtual reality, students can fly with identification of each component and the amount present in the
atoms on an electron beam, racing to the point where they
substance being tested, according to Mitchell.
witness the molecule’s controlled destruction and analyze “This virtual mass spectrometer experience effectively
the scattering particles within a highly specialized scientific device demonstrates the need for a variety of professions for real-world
known as a mass spectrometer. operation and use of this resource. Scientists, engineers, lab techs
The virtual program, created by employees at SRS, is derived from and radiation control personnel are just some of the career fields
the Site-produced video “In the Beam, Science in the Fast Lane,” which touched by this fascinating technology,” Mitchell said. “We will also
presents a peek inside the happenings of a spectrometer. proactively use this virtual reality program at future career fairs.”

“We will be replacing the To receive a link to the free video and educator’s guide, teachers
video with a virtual reality may complete a short form at surveymonkey.com/r/inthebeam.
program headset for a visual David Arrington, the science department chair at Lakeside High
deep dive into and through School in Evans, Georgia, recalls sharing the “In the Beam, Science
the spectrometer, as if you in the Fast Lane” video with students in the school’s high-level
were really there,” said Kim chemistry spectroscopy unit.
Mitchell, with the education
outreach group at SRNS. “The video provided an inside look at the workings of a mass
spectrometer,” Arrington said. “This is something that students
SRS personnel used laser otherwise would not have been able to experience. You could
mapping to virtually recreate definitely see them making the connection between the gas sample,
the computer-generated electron beam and the mass fragments detected while watching
mass spectrometer featured the video.”
in the video, which is based
on an actual mass spectrometer operated at SRS. To date, nearly 2,000 students and educators have watched the
science, technology, engineering and math-based lesson and video.
SRNL engineers created the virtual program, while the associated
educator’s guide was written by SRS experts in the fields of physics Since 2009, SRNS has worked with local public and private
and chemistry who work in laboratories that use these high-tech schools to enhance education. During the month of April 2021
precision instruments. alone, more than 25,000 students and 410 educators used
various multi-platform programs offered by the SRNS education
A mass spectrometer allows laboratory personnel to separate outreach division.
individual components of a substance, resulting in the exact