Portsmouth Site Embraces STEM Role in Community

Waverly High School students participate in a glovebox challenge trying to be the first team to correctly separate different colored blocks to the correct trays. At the Science Alliance, many of the interactive stations involve competition.

PIKETON, Ohio — The Portsmouth Site is well known for encouraging scientific learning and exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities with students of all ages in the community year-round.

“Our STEM related programs have grown tremendously in the past couple of years, and it is great to see so many employees from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management and all site contractors taking part in providing our local students with new opportunities,” Portsmouth Site Lead Jeremy Davis said.

This fall, more than 1,400 students from 30 high schools in five nearby counties descended on the site for the annual Science Alliance. In its 13th year, Science Alliance is one of the largest hands-on science events in southern Ohio. Students enjoy science activities, meet with college and local industry representatives and learn about the site’s history and plans for future development.

“It is always inspiring to see the students come here and enjoy themselves and interact with all the presenters, whether it’s during a hands-on demonstration or learning about a career or educational path after high school,” said Davis. “The students seem to really appreciate the opportunities that go beyond the classroom.”

The majority of students participating in Science Alliance are juniors. Many of them are thinking about their plans for the future.

“I really enjoyed going to Science Alliance and learning about all the STEM opportunities in southern Ohio,” said Waverly High School Junior Quinn Shaffer. “This program gives students a chance to learn about things we might not get a chance to experience in class or any of our extracurricular programs at school.”

Mentors from the Portsmouth Site help students discover new ideas, practice critical thinking and explore different careers as part of the STEAM Ahead program used by all four public school districts in Pike County, Ohio.

In winter, the focus turns to third and fourth graders with the STEAM Ahead program. Now in its fifth year, the program is in all Pike County public schools with plans to expand to Scioto County next year. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Employees from the site create and demonstrate a wide variety of 15-minute activities that include physics lessons, building through engineering principles, water purification, chemistry, centrifuge technology, biology and even video editing.

By spring, competition takes center stage, as some of the brightest students in Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Jackson counties compete during the DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl. Each year, 32 teams compete for the title of regional champion and advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

In summer, the spotlight moves to college students ready to prepare for their future. Students work hand in hand with Portsmouth Site experts in a wide range of fields to learn job skills they may not get in the classroom.

“Our internship program is one of the most sought-after in our community, not only because it’s a paid internship, but it’s the opportunity and experiences they are presented within the workplace setting that are directly instrumental in launching their professional career paths,” said Todd Cron, human resources acting director for Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth, the prime contractor for the Portsmouth Site’s decontamination and decommissioning project.

This year, more than 50 interns worked at the Portsmouth Site, with some accepting positions with the site after completing the program.

-Contributor: Cindi Remy