Power Path To Nuclear Energy

Connecting to teachers through Power Path

With Power Path, teachers get entertaining lessons in nuclear science using workbook games and puzzles and online resources. Teacher support is extended with training opportunities and enhancement of lesson plans through guest teaching and other employee volunteer opportunities.

By creating an early interest in nuclear science, our coalition of partners hope to steer students toward career choices related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics in energy production careers.

Where can I get Power Path?

It’s here! There is a bound copy of materials available – and check out the downloads below that you can start using right away.

The program is in use in Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina and has been introduced to many other educators through meetings of the National Science Teachers Association. We encourage all states, other utilities and organizations to get Power Path for their schools, too.

Contact Entergy’s national coordinator for Power Path, Margie Jepson, at: mjepson@entergy.com; 601-368-5460.

Get the downloads—teaching tools for the classroom.

Energy Solutions Foundation has provided a number of lesson plans that will provide you with step-by-step ways to teach the fundamentals of nuclear science.

This overview of radiation and the uses of radiation gives a good idea of the pros and cons of using nuclear energy:
Safe and Reliable Nuclear Energy

What do particles and Greek letters have to do with each other? Learn about it here (for grades 8 through 12):
Alphas Betas Gammas, Oh My

For students in grades 7 through 12, visualize the rate of radioactive decay in these lessons:
Tearing Through a Half-Life
Nuclear Popcorn

Atoms are all around us. What exactly is in them? Learn about radioactivity here:
Atomic Nucleus

If you were to debate energy issues, what would be your arguments? See this suggestion here (best for grades 9 through 12):
Mock Senate

How is energy produced and used? What are the costs of renewable and other forms of energy?
Environment and Generation
Nuclear Clean Air Facts

From the National Museum for Nuclear Science and History, download these educational tools:
The Fission Game
Radioactive Decay
Radwasteactivity
Radiation Dose and Perception of Risk
Dose Chart
Cloud Chamber
Fission and Critical Mass

The industry began workforce development efforts more than eight years ago to ensure a pipeline of new workers to address retirements and to support new plants.

NEI, working with the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and operators across the country, have created a standard nuclear energy curriculum. This is being adopted by 52 community colleges that will train workers who are qualified to join the staff at any nuclear plant.

Twenty-eight states have developed programs to promote skilled craft development to support energy infrastructure projects.
Eighteen of these programs are in states with nuclear power plants and have nuclear-specific goals.
Last year, nuclear energy educational programs received more than $90 million in federal grants for programs ranging from trade skills to graduate research.