Our Mission
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) engages educators and young people to develop the necessary workforce in nuclear applications, clean energies, and manufacturing in Texas to sustain a vibrant new, clean industry in the state. NPI engagement partnerships include educators, universities, community colleges, the nuclear sector, state agencies, and local organizations.
This network enables engagement and enrichment opportunities for students, educators and professionals in schools, community colleges and universities, and stakeholder industries across Texas.
NPI Engagement Opportunities
Nuclear science and technology (NST) impact our daily lives in a myriad of ways. From nuclear power to radiation cancer treatments and agriculture protection, NST is critical to improving the standard of living in countries with growing energy requirements. Despite this, NST is commonly misunderstood by the public and overlooked as a future career path, as it is often not a part of the formalized educational curriculum.
NPI High School Physics Festival at Tarleton
Students and teachers will have a chance to hear plenary talks from nationally known physicists who graduated from North Texas High Schools as well nationally recognized physics educators. In addition to talks and activities in the regular conference there will also be a high school Physics demonstration contest with prizes, special high school sessions and special high school activities (radioactivity in geology, medical imaging, chemistry magic show, tours, planetarium shows, etc) put on by Tarleton faculty. There will also be several high school teacher workshops available.
NPI Solar Eclipse Festival at Tarleton
Nuclear science and technology (NST) impact our daily lives in a myriad of ways. From nuclear power to radiation cancer treatments and agriculture protection, NST is critical to improving the standard of living in countries with growing energy requirements. Despite this, NST is commonly misunderstood by the public and overlooked as a future career path, as it is often not a part of the formalized educational curriculum.
The workshop is intended to provide educators an overview of STP workforce benefits, expectations, outlook, and pathways – including safety culture.
NPI and Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) Educator Workshop
NPI has partnered with Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) to provide a one-day professional development program for Texas STEM teachers. Participants learn about different WCJC programs such as process technology, nuclear power technology, and manufacturing technology. Participating educators hear from instructors and learn of the three programs offered at the WCJC Center for Energy Development-Bay City campus. Educators take what they have learned back to their students and campuses.
“The Path of Most Persistence” Podcast
The NPI “The Path of Most Persistence” podcast endeavors to highlight and inspire. This format serves as a window into the people we engage and our world of developing the necessary workforce in nuclear applications, clean energies, and manufacturing across the State of Texas. We believe the experiences and storytelling of our guests will illuminate our “Path.”
STEM Outreach Event at Hill College
This event is designed to special educational activities/presentations/viewing for students and teachers such as: eclipse viewing and activities, presentations on solar eclipse/astronomy preparing for the solar eclipse.
(Tiny Readers Are Tomorrow’s Leaders)
The NPI’s “Tilly Loves Tiny Readers are Tomorrows Leaders” (TRTLs) story and video series endeavors to enhance Pre-K to 2nd grade outreach programming focusing on early workforce development awareness, while encouraging reading and curiosity. NPI acknowledges the importance of reaching children during their educational foundation years when reading fluency and comprehension attainment are vitally important, setting the trajectory of students’ success into adulthood and ultimately affecting their workforce opportunities. This series of seven stories and videos are intended to be encouraging, inspiring, and aspirational of the “What I can be when I grow up?” possibilities.
NPI’s Workforce Industry Training (WIT) program is for high school students who are interested in expanding their knowledge and understanding of careers in nuclear applications, clean energies, and manufacturing. Engaging the NPI network, WIT programming will continue to mentor, encourage, and prepare students for the future Texas workforce utilizing Texas A&M University programs, partner institutions and industries, and other TEES partners. By participating in WIT, students gain exposure to higher education and career opportunities through field trips, presentations, and other events while building the confidence and enthusiasm to consider careers in nuclear applications, clean energies, and manufacturing in Texas.
WIT Nuclear Applications, Clean Energies, Manufacturing Awareness, and Professional Development Seminar
This seminar is intended to provide students and educators information, enrichment, and encouragement to pursue and enhance knowledge in Nuclear Applications, Clean Energies, Manufacturing Awareness, and Professional Development.
NPI partnered with TWC Commissioner Alberto Trevino, the Charlotte Sharp’s Children’s Center, and the Becky Gates Children’s Center to celebrate “World Read Aloud Day to encourage reading and career exploration at the earliest ages utilizing our newest team member “Tilly” and the book series created by NPI.