Outreach Resources
ANS members are our greatest resource when it comes to educating the public about nuclear science and technology. Your section can help by organizing events at the local level. ANS’s targeted audiences are: K-12 educators and students, general public, policy makers, and the media and we need your help in reaching them. The most common outreach efforts include:
- Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge workshop
- Girl Scout Get to Know Nuclear Patch workshop
- Nuclear Explorer’s Program (Science Club/After School)
- Navigating Nuclear – Energizing Our World
- Teacher workshops
- Nuclear Science Week
- Information tables/exhibit booth
- Science Fairs/STEM Competitions
- Essay Contests
- Job Shadowing
- Adopt-a-School
- NE student recruitment events
If you need assistance with planning an outreach event, or are just seeking someone to brainstorm new ideas with, contact the ANS Communications and Outreach Department at outreach@ans.org.
Reporting
The most successful outreach efforts are those that take evaluation into account from the beginning. Whether your goals are to change public perception on nuclear energy or raise awareness of nuclear science in general, you should create a series of metrics that can be reported after your event. After your event, report your successes to the Student Section Committee using the form below. Reporting your outreach events will not only satisfy the SSC requirements for section distinction, but it will also help ANS secure funding for future events.
Please email the SSC webmaster (Lisa Reed) to get your events included!
NEED George A. Ferguson Motivational Grants (GAFMG)
The ANS NEED Committee provides grants to ANS Sections that provide programming that serves culturally and economically disadvantaged kindergarten through high school students in the United States. Grant funds may be used to purchase resources to teach science and math. Included are equipment, materials and tours to nuclear power plants and other nuclear-related facilities.
- Recipients may receive one grant per year. The limit for a single grant is $5,000.
- The project receiving a grant must be completed within 12 months after an award is granted, and a program report must be submitted to the NEED Committee within two months after completion.
- Deadlines May 1 – funding available by July 1 / October 1 – funding available by December 1
Presentation Library
The Communication Committee developed a presentation library for ANS members (member login required). There you will find presentations on a variety of topics, for a different audiences. You can also submit your presentations for consideration.
Public Information Materials
The Communication Committee has created engaging visuals for members to use in their outreach efforts. The three key focused messaged are:
- Radiation and radioactivity are a natural part of our world.
- Nuclear technology works
- Nuclear technology enhances our quality of life.
Many of these materials can be found for free online at NuclearConnect.org, or prints can be purchased from the ANS store.
ANS Outreach Materials Request
ANS Sections with limited resources can request up to $500 worth of ANS outreach materials. This program, sponsored by the ANS Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information (CNSTI), provides printed materials and supplies at no cost to members. Materials are available on a first-come-first-served basis, and an event report is required within 30 days of your event. Email outreach@ans.org for more information about what is available and how to request the materials.