National Nuclear Science Week Makes Debut

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- National Nuclear Science Week is making its debut on January 25, 2010. The event is a national, broadly observed week-long celebration of how human knowledge has directed the energy of our most fundamental component, the atom, to the service and progress of our communities and world. It is intended to advance public and industry awareness of the key benefits of nuclear science and to recognize the professionals who lead these organizations.

National Nuclear Science Week 2010 (http://www.NuclearScienceWeek.org) is themed "Get to Know Nuclear." The event goal is to encourage education, participation and communication around daily themes to provide platforms for learning and exploration of nuclear sciences: Monday – "get to know nuclear"; Tuesday - nuclear medicine and radiology; Wednesday - energy generation; Thursday - safety; and Friday – careers in the nuclear field.

The National Nuclear Science Week is a partnership between the host organization, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, in Albuquerque, New Mexico (http://www.ItsATrip.org), and nuclear industry partners. Supporters include Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) – Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Senator Pete Domenici (ret. R-NM) – Bi-Partisan Policy Center; the Nuclear Energy Institute, the American Nuclear Society, AREVA, Arizona Public Services, Entergy Corporation, Exelon, Louisiana Energy Services, Los Alamos National Labs, Sandia National Labs, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and U.S. Women In Nuclear, North American Young Generation in Nuclear, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

"It's time to step forward and get to know nuclear – it's a source of clean energy, helps saves lives through the medical industry and has provided great technology advancements for humankind," states the Director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Jim Walther. "The contributions of nuclear science are many, and recognizing the importance of nuclear medicine, energy, and careers is very timely."

The host institution, the Smithsonian affiliate National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (http://www.NuclearMuseum.org), is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an anniversary exhibit continuing through 2010 that showcases the Museum's history juxtaposed next to important historical and cultural events. The exhibit contains seldom-seen artifacts and photographs, military uniforms, an Atomic Energy Commission jeep, and civil defense artifacts. The Museum originally opened as the Sandia Base Weapons Museum on Kirtland Air Force Base in October 1969.

For information, visit http://www.NuclearMuseum.org or http://www.NuclearScienceWeek.org.

SOURCE National Museum of Nuclear Science & History