A study in the International Journal of STEM Education identified the importance of role models encouraging students to see themselves as capable of succeeding in science, technology, engineering and math career fields.
Office of Environmental Management
November 5, 2024
minute read time
Nondestructive assay technician Dustin Crane, right, demonstrates a robot to local middle school students at the WKY Launch Experience. The robot is similar to the ones used to inspect equipment at the Paducah Site. Crane is with Paducah Site contractor Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership.
Nondestructive assay technician Dustin Crane, right, demonstrates a robot to local middle school students at the WKY Launch Experience. The robot is similar to the ones used to inspect equipment at the Paducah Site. Crane is with Paducah Site contractor Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership.
PADUCAH, Ky. — A study in the International Journal of STEM Education identified the importance of role models encouraging students to see themselves as capable of succeeding in science, technology, engineering and math career fields.
Ensuring the next generation of students have a career path in these fields is a top priority for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) sites across the cleanup complex.
Recently, Paducah Site contractors showcased the site’s STEM careers during the WKY Launch Experience, a premier career exploration event for local middle school students. WKY stands for West Kentucky.
EMTV: In this video, Paducah Site contractors introduce students to the dynamic array of job opportunities at the site during the WKY Launch Experience.
Organized by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by EM and site contractors, the WKY Launch Experience is designed to introduce students from the region to interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, offering a glimpse into potential careers within the community.
“Participation in the WKY Launch Experience aligns with our commitment to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals,” Paducah Site Lead April Ladd said. “By engaging with students at this critical stage in their education, we hope to inspire interest in the technical fields essential to the continued success at our site.”
A Paducah Site contractor takes a photo of a student exploring a construction vehicle during a demonstration of heavy equipment at th WKY Launch Experience.
The WKY Launch Experience gave EM and its contractors the opportunity to highlight careers available at the Paducah Site. They also were able to provide role models to demystify STEM careers and make them seem more attainable by showing success in these fields is achievable for the students. By providing diverse paths to success in STEM for the Paducah Site at the WKY Launch Experience, role models inspire students to pursue careers they may not have previously considered.
“We appreciate the contractors at the Paducah Site participating in the WKY Launch Experience,” said Sandra Wilson, president and CEO of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. “This event is important to share information with our local students about future careers at the site.”
-Contributors: J.T. Crawford, Dylan Nichols
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