Ellis Students Visit Nuclear Power Plant
To supplement their in-depth studies on nuclear power in the Integrated Studies course, Voice & Vision, grade 9 students visited the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station in Monaca, PA this spring. In Voice & Vision, students investigate real-world problems, in this case nuclear power, and consider local and global implications and solutions. As students delved into the topic, they considered whether or not nuclear power is the best answer to the growing need for energy and the growing concern about global warming.
Accompanied by Upper School History Teacher, Rick Malmstrom; Visual Arts Teacher, Belle Moldovan; and Homeland Security Strategist and Adjunct Professor of Emergency and Security Studies at Tulane University, Heather Hilliard ’93, Ellis students toured the plant and applied their classroom learnings to garner an accurate picture of the sheer strength and magnitude of nuclear power. Because of Ms. Hilliard’s homeland security endeavors, the field trip went from an impossibility to a reality for Ellis students, who were able to see firsthand the unbelievable size and scale of a nuclear plant in the greater Pittsburgh area, just about an hour from Ellis.
As students toured the facility, they talked to workers and employees about their positions and responsibilities at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station. Ryan Keck, a civil and structural engineer, opened students’ eyes to the myriad of roles at the nuclear plant and explained it’s more than engineering, but a combination of talents and expertise across disciplines. The highlight of the trip came when students had the chance to see the plant’s mock control room. Training operators use the space to test critical scenarios, like a tornado hitting the plant, and run through emergency procedures and plans. Students got the full effect as the alarms sounded and workers went into crisis mode to “control” the situation right before their eyes.
“Through my work in homeland security, I was able to provide access to the plant. By fostering professional relationships and connections, I enjoy providing these types of experience and mentorship opportunities to Ellis students, to open doors that they may not have known existed, and to create excitement around engineering and homeland security,” says Ms. Hilliard.
Prior to the power plant trip, Ms. Hilliard joined the Voice & Vision class for a presentation on nuclear power and the importance of homeland security infrastructure protection. She spoke to students about the basics of radioactivity and nuclear power, the physical effects of exposure, and possible procedures that could be in place in case of emergency. Aghast at the thought of a nuclear event occurring in their lifetime, students were completely enthralled with Heather’s talk as she walked through past events at Chernobyl, Hiroshima, and Fukushima.
Students concluded their in-depth look at nuclear energy with a debate, where they argued the pros and cons of nuclear power and the risks and rewards associated with it. Faculty members and Ms. Hilliard joined the class as students presented opening statements, rebuttals, and summaries on their point of view.
Ms. Hilliard adds, “I hope this experience inspires students to recognize new career options outside of their everyday lives that are important to the community. Exposing students to diverse experiences opens doors and allows for creative disruption and innovation”
Because of this partnership students gained a holistic understanding of a topic in an experiential, hands-on way. In Voice & Vision, students develop research and collaboration skills as they investigate issues on local and global scales. Through applied learning inside and outside of the classroom, students develop habits of advocacy and citizenship as they investigate and explore real-world problems and pose real-world solutions.
To learn more about the Integrated Studies Program in the Upper School, click here.
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