Nuclear power speaker Mark White energizes science students
Nuclear energy speaker Mark White explains how The Simpsons misconstrues the idea of nuclear power plants. White linked back to The Simpsons and other teenage entertainment as support for his presentation.
November 27, 2014
Friday November 21st brought a new kind of energy to four of North Cobb’s science classes: nuclear power speaker Mark White. The sessions took place during first, second, and fourth period, opening the students’ eyes to the growing world of nuclear energy.
A simulated sample of the uranium fuel pellets used in nuclear reactors. White provided these samples to show the students how reactors work, and also brought a geiger counter and dosimeter.
White works for a nuclear power company based in Idaho and entered the field from a young age: “In eighth grade, I took an aptitude test. It said the number one job for me was a nuclear engineer. I kind of forgot about it after that. I thought I’d be an accountant because I’m good at math. Then I learned accounting is not math. Later I was in an Intro to Engineering class and heard about nuclear power and here I am today.”
White talked in depth about nuclear power plants, explaining his points through clips from The Simpsons and Meet the Robinsons. The presentation included examples pertaining to the physics of nuclear reactors he had visited and incidents like Fukushima and Chernobyl.
Sophomore and Magnet chemistry student Giovanni Merendino enjoyed the experience. “I really liked it. It kind of swayed me to change my future prospects, because originally I wanted to be a chemical engineer but now I want to look into nuclear engineering,” Merendino said.
Sophomore Moriah Hopkins helps White explain contamination by testing her hands with a Geiger counter after touching a plate made out of radioactive material.
White made it a point to answer any and all student questions during his presentation to the best of his ability.
Magnet Chemistry teacher Ms. Tidrick commented on White’s attitude, “He’s very open to hearing questions from [the students], and the presentation can kind of go however the students want it to.”
With speakers like Mark White, North Cobb continues its mission of providing its students with eye-opening, real world experiences to better further their education and futures.
