Roane State students view latest in radiation detection gear

Bob Fowler
·2 min read
Student Lizajean Holt joins instructor Milt Paquette from UCOR in learning about the radiation testing gear.
Student Lizajean Holt joins instructor Milt Paquette from UCOR in learning about the radiation testing gear.

Visitors to Roane State Community College's Oak Ridge Branch Campus brought some high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment with them for students to inspect.

UCOR, the environmental cleanup contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Reservation, recently met with Associate Professor Michael Chung’s environmental instrumentation class to showcase the latest in radiation detection gear.

It was the first time that UCOR, a partner with Roane State, brought the equipment to the college, said Dan Hyder. He’s the interim dean for Roane State’s Division of Social Science, Business and Education, and director of the college’s Environmental Health Technology Program.

“We appreciate the support of one of our good partners,” Hyder said. “They (UCOR) hire a lot of our students. I’m delighted they take such an interest to support our program.”

Instructor Chris Jones leads a class at Roane State Community College regarding radiation testing equipment.
Instructor Chris Jones leads a class at Roane State Community College regarding radiation testing equipment.

UCOR staff introduced students to the latest radiation/instrumentation simulation equipment.

“The system uses radio-frequency technology to allow the students to ‘see’ what radiation would look like without exposing themselves to actual ionizing radiation,” said Joe Biggerstaff. He is UCOR’s radiological protection operations and program manager.

“We were pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response from students and faculty alike,” Biggerstaff said. “We look forward to meeting with the students every year to give them hands-on experience with real-world technology.”

“Our partnership with Roane State is an essential piece of our workforce development program,” said Ken Rueter, president and CEO of UCOR, an Amentum-led partnership with Jacobs.

Amentum is a premier global technical and engineering services partner supporting critical programs of national significance across defense, security, intelligence, energy and environment. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is an American international technical professional services firm.

Student James Ferrell works with radiation testing equipment at Roane State Community College.
Student James Ferrell works with radiation testing equipment at Roane State Community College.

“The college is preparing the kind of workers we need to be successful in the nuclear industry as well as environmental cleanup,” Rueter said. “We will take every opportunity to encourage students, including exposing them to the latest technologies in the field and giving them hands-on opportunities through our apprenticeship program.”

“Our ongoing collaboration with local and regional partners such as Roane State provides life-changing opportunities to members of disadvantaged communities,” Rueter said.

Learn more about Roane State’s Environmental Health Technology Program at roanestate.edu/EHT.

Bob Fowler is a staff writer for Roane State Community College.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Roane State students view latest in radiation detection gear