The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) through its Nuclear Training Center (NTC) held a five-week training course for secondary and tertiary education faculty from April 16 to May 16.
The 38th Seminar on Nuclear Science for High School Science Teachers and the 47th Course on Nuclear Technology for University/College Faculty aims to familiarize the participants with the basics of nuclear and radiation science and its applications and be eventually able to integrate these concepts in classroom discussions on science subjects and courses, increasing the youth’s knowledge and awareness in nuclear science and technology.
Twenty-six (26) high school teachers from 18 public high schools and a faculty member from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños participated in the training course.
Scientists and researchers from PNRI’s various sections lectured on nuclear physics and radiation chemistry, basic radiation protection, security and waste management, dose calculation, nuclear reactions, neutron activation and the different applications of nuclear and radiation technology in agriculture, medicine, industry and energy.
Experiments, hands-on exercises, technology demonstrations and laboratory visits were also facilitated by the NTC course coordinators and PNRI experts.
To gauge how much they have learned from the course, the participants were given a long quiz every week and are given an opportunity to prepare teaching modules and case studies on nuclear science topics, which were presented at the end of their respective courses. The modules and case studies may also be applied to their respective classes after the course.
The teachers also joined a tour to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant on May 3 with PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa, PNRI staff and members of the media.
The tour was facilitated by the National Power Corporation and sponsored by former Congressman Mark Cojuangco, who advocates restarting the mothballed nuclear plant to alleviate the country’s energy problem as well as the soaring costs of electricity.
The PNRI NTC offers these seminars on nuclear science and technology for high school and college faculty every summer.
