University of Tennessee Knoxville to bring nuclear energy curriculum to K-2 students

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is launching an innovative nuclear energy curriculum for students in kindergarten through second grade. The Powering Our Town curriculum will launch for the 2025-2026 school year and will run for five years, teaching students about nuclear power and energy concepts through age-appropriate lessons to inspire interest in clean energy careers.

According to an article on the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s website, Wes Hines, who is the Chancellor’s Professor emeritus and the former head of the university’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, was quoted as saying of the Powering Our Town initiative, “This innovative K-2 nuclear educational program builds on Tennessee’s energy leadership by inspiring young minds to explore science and clean energy concepts. We’re sparking curiosity and planting the seeds for a future generation of problem-solvers who can help create a safer, cleaner world.”

The university’s Department of Nuclear Engineering collaborated with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the North American Young Generation in Nuclear in order to bring the Powering Our Town initiative to fruition. The program is the first of its kind in the country and will deliver a nuclear energy curriculum to more than 280 K-2 teachers, who will utilize the curriculum in their own classrooms around the state.

The university received a grant to create the Powering Our Town curriculum. The grant will support the initiative over the next five years to host workshops that will introduce educators to the concepts of the curriculum. Earlier this summer, a workshop was held that gave teachers the opportunity to learn from nuclear energy industry leaders directly. Teachers were familiarized with the curriculum, which includes a project in which students will apply their early learning of nuclear energy concepts to create a town that utilizes nuclear energy throughout 11 lessons, which will use many Tennessee education standards to complete.

Speaking of the collaborative nature of the project and the university’s connection with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, Hines said, “We reached out and connected with TSIN because we knew they could help us develop nuclear energy curriculum and training for educators across the state of Tennessee. The lessons and exposure to nuclear industry experts provided meaningful and impactful experiences for the attendees and our team.” He added, “We will support the program and future workshops with faculty and students, giving K-2 teachers the opportunity to engage with professionals in the nuclear field and see the diverse career paths available to their students — from welders and technicians to engineers, communicators and electricians.”

Brandi Stroecker, the director of TSIN, said, “This is an unprecedented opportunity to connect Tennessee’s youngest students with one of the most promising clean energy solutions of our time. We are proud to support Governor Lee’s mission by building a foundation that not only informs but inspires.”

For more information about the University of Tennessee Knoxville, visit the school’s website.