The Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program at The University of Texas at Austin proudly hosted two hands-on professional development workshops for high school STEM teachers. Held on July 17 and July 24 at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab (NETL) on the Pickle Research Campus, these sessions brought together educators from across Austin and surrounding areas to deepen their understanding of nuclear science and radiation technologies.
Led by Dr. Sheldon Landsberger, Robert B. Trull Chair in Engineering, and Dr. William Charlton, Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory and
Professor, the workshops featured interactive lectures, lab demonstrations, and guided tours of the NETL reactor facility. Teachers participated in small-group reactor tours, gaining firsthand insight into nuclear instrumentation and safety protocols, and explored ways to bring nuclear science into their classrooms. Specific experiences included:
- Tours of UT Austin’s 1.1MW TRIGA reactor
- Iodine Extraction Lab
- Radiation Detector Lab
- Shielding Lab
- Radiochemistry overview
- Presentations on neutron radiography, nuclear medicine, TX nuclear policy and workforce development, and a history of nuclear science and engineering
These workshops were made possible through generous support from Department of Energy University (DOE) Reactor Sharing and Outreach, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening STEM education and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Looking ahead, the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program aims to expand this initiative by developing a recurring summer series, offering curriculum resources, and building a statewide network of nuclear science educators.
