Fusion Education

The Fusion Energy Sciences Program includes a diverse set of disciplines - from modern plasma physics theories dealing with chaotic systems of energetic particles and waves to more conventional engineering problems of applied electromagnetism. Throughout the scientific programs supported by this office, there is a conscious recognition of the importance of:

• real-life fusion examples to enhance science education nationwide.

• Using science education as a means to raise public awareness of fusion energy.

While there are several programs specifically supported by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences for the purpose of science education, all of the efforts within the fusion program are highly dependent on voluntary efforts by personnel across the program. These scientists, engineers, and technical support staff give lectures, conduct tours, develop displays, and otherwise contribute their time and energy to this purpose.

Questions or suggestions regarding fusion education programs should be addressed to Dr. Darlene Markevich.

Specific Websites of Note Include:

Office Fusion Energy Sciences Graduate Fellowship and Postdoctoral Fellowship awards provide opportunities for study and research in the area of fusion energy sciences and technology related to the development of fusion energy.

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Educational Website
Information on graduate programs in plasma physics, student internships, teacher programs, and much more.

General Atomics Educational Website
Includes a short slide show on fusion, a Quicktime tour of the inside of the DIII-D tokamak - a working fusion research experiment, and teacher resource materials.

Fusion Teacher Research Academy, TRA:  The Fusion TRA (a partnership between LLNL and UC Davis) is a professional development program for middle and high school science teachers with four Levels of increasingly more research oriented workshops.  The workshops are designed to give teachers experience in promoting and conducting research with their students using real-life fusion and astrophysics examples of plasma spectroscopy. Spectroscopy is important in a wide variety of fields such as fusion science, astrophysics, and atomic physics; and has been the cornerstone of many physics discoveries of the past.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center's Educational Outreach Programs at MIT
Information on tours and activities at MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center for students and teachers at the K through 12 levels.

The Wonders of Physics - University of Wisconsin-Madison
For twenty years, the University of Wisconsin has had a fast-paced lecture/demonstration program reaching over 2000 members of the general public in it annual shows and many thousands more across the country with its traveling show.

Coalition for Plasma Science: The Coalition for Plasma Science is a group of institutions, organizations, and companies joining forces to increase awareness and understanding of plasma science and its many applications and benefits for society. At this Web site you can learn some new things about plasmas in our world, in our society, and in our economy.

Contemporary Physics Education Project (CPEP): Fusion - Physics of a Fundamental Energy Source. This is an online introductory college-level (or advanced high school senior) course on fusion, plus classroom charts in 7 languages, from the Contemporary Physics Education Project.

The American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics
Information for students and educators.

 

Plasma Science and Technology
Communicates the fascination of plasma science, the vast range of its applications, and its profound implications for 21st century science and technology as well as for daily life.

 

Energy Information Administration
Information on energy sources, including petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear, renewables, end use consumption, prices, & frequently asked questions.  

 

Slide Show of MIT's Mr. Magnet
For years, Paul Thomas, MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, has carried out educational outreach for the elementary school children of New England.

Artsimovich Memorial Lectures: Lectures presented at the IAEA Conferences on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research to commemorate Academician Lev Andreevich Artsimovich.

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Energy of these web sites or the information, products or services contained therein.