STEM

Discovery Co-Hosts Virtual Field Trip of Nuclear Power Plant

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 10/12/18

Discovery Education is hosting a free virtual field trip to a nuclear power plant Oct. 15, cosponsored with the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information. The event takes place between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.

The goal of the virtual tour is to help students explore the applications of nuclear science, which surfaces in numerous fields, including medicine, geology, astronomy and, of course, energy. Learners will go behind the scenes at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, located in real life in Arizona, about 45 miles from Phoenix. Currently, the site produces more than 32 million megawatt hours annually, about enough power four million people, according to the state's public utility.

During the visit, Students will be walked through the nuclear fission process for generating electricity and learn how drones, robots and virtual reality are used in operations and training.

The tour will be recorded so that teachers can access the field trip after the event. Registration is available through Eventbrite.

Both organizations co-host a "Navigating Nuclear" website that includes standards-aligned resources, including lessons, career explorations and project ideas for the classroom.