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LYNCHBURG, Va., Sept. 24, 2003 -- The Central Virginia Governor's School (CVGS) has received an $8,750 mini-grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund nuclear science studies for the 2003-2004 academic year.
The grant provides funding for high-school juniors and seniors to learn about careers in nuclear engineering, to conduct research and develop Web- based lessons for other students and teachers. The grant was administered by Penn State University's College of Engineering, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department and its Office of Sponsored Programs.
The grant enables CVGS to enhance its Nuclear Science Applications Laboratory curriculum. The CVGS worked with program partners from two Lynchburg-based firms, Framatome ANP Inc. and BWX Technologies, to develop the curricula. "Our primary objective is to provide advanced students with hands- on research, testing, analysis, and data-interpretation experience," said Dr. Cheryl Lindeman, CVGS project coordinator and research instructor.
During the fall semester, students will design research projects and lesson plans to help them learn more about the commercial and industrial applications of nuclear engineering. One project will involve collecting data on the effects of radiation and corrosion on certain materials under the guidance of mentors from Framatome ANP and BWX Technologies, Inc. Students will not work directly with radiation. On September 12, CVGS students spent the day touring Penn State's Radiation Science & Engineering Center in State College, PA.
Framatome ANP provides nuclear fuel, major components and comprehensive services to the nuclear power industry. BWX Technologies is a diversified manufacturer of nuclear components and advanced energy products with operations in ten states.
The Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology, founded in 1985, serves 108 juniors and seniors from the school divisions of Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Campbell County, and the City of Lynchburg, Virginia. Students take mathematics and science courses at the Governor's School in the morning and return to their home high schools in the afternoon for the remainder of their classes.
The program is housed in its own state-of-the-art facility and is governed by a regional board comprised of a school board member from each participating division. Financial support for the school is provided by the participating school divisions, the Gifted Programs Office of the Virginia Department of Education and Region 2000 business and industry partners.
Project Partner Participants:
Central Virginia Governor's School, Lynchburg, Va.
Cheryl Lindeman, grant project coordinator and research instructor
Bill Bishop, physics instructor
Tom Morgan, CVGS director and research instructor
Framatome ANP Inc., Lynchburg, Va.
Brian Lockamon, chemical engineer
Cheryl Warren, chemical engineer
Mike Pop, mechanical engineer
The North American Young Generation in Nuclear, Lynchburg Chapter
Brian Mays of Framatome ANP Inc. (CVGS graduate)
BWX Technologies Inc. Lynchburg, Va.
Kevin Hour, Manager Nuclear Materials Engineering
BWXT Services, Inc.
Brad Vevera, Technologist
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