‘Groundbreaking’ nuclear energy class gives Knoxville students insight into growing industry

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Students at L&N Stem Academy in Knoxville are the first in the state to participate in a new class focused on nuclear energy.

“Basically design some sort of new curriculum, so we decided to go with nuclear physics because that’s a little bit of my background,” said class teacher Brooke Carter. “I know that’s like a big thing here in East Tennessee right now, especially with us being so close to Oak Ridge.”

In September, state officials and Orano USA announced plans to build a new uranium enrichment center in Oak Ridge. During that announcement Orano USA officials told 6 News that the educational programs here in Tennessee were one of the reasons they chose Oak Ridge for the expansion.

“It’s really important for us to help to the community that we are in and so being able to provide resources for my students so that they can stay in this community and help grow it even more, expand here in what we already have in Knoxville and surrounding counties,” Carter said. “To be able to give them a chance so they don’t have to move super far away or spend a bunch of money on out of state college.”

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