ORAU: Then & Now
Posts by Guest Authors
Guest Authors
ORAU: Then & Now is a blog with several contributors. From leading STEM experts to writers with a passion for storytelling, each post is crafted to help more readers learn about ORAU.
Abbey Becker
2025
To acknowledge the sacrifices of American energy workers who developed serious illnesses after exposure to radioactive materials or other hazardous substances, Congress enacted EEOICPA in which ORAU plays a key role.
A 3D printing workshop equips teachers with practical skills to integrate 3D printing into classrooms, enhancing STEM education. Participants learn CAD tools, troubleshooting, and creative applications, enabling hands-on learning through models that simplify complex concepts, foster accessibility, and inspire students to innovate and problem-solve.
The 2025 ORAU Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions emphasized advanced manufacturing 4.0, including discussions on technology, sustainability and education. It showcased collaboration between universities, government and industry, with insightful keynotes, panels, and a unique building-block challenge.
ORAU supports research aiming to revolutionize breast biopsies, making them more accurate and less invasive with augmented reality. Recipient of the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Alycen Wiacek leads a team at Oakland University that focuses on improving breast biopsy precision by integrating AR into medical imaging.
Fiestaware’s striking colors, particularly the iconic Fiesta red, were originally achieved with uranium oxide, making pieces radiantly unique. The use of uranium for this purpose, a practice halted and then altered due to World War II demands for atomic bomb production, underscores the blend of art and atomic science in these everyday items.
Brenda Blunt
2025
ORAU has contract vehicles in place to meet the professional services and human capital needs of the government. This blog explains the OASIS+ (One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services) contract vehicle and how it can be used to access ORAU as a trusted partner in government mission work.
Brenda Blunt, ORAU senior director of health policy, writes about changes she’d like to see in primary care.
Don Hanlon
2024
Learn more about Exercise Builder Energy, one of ORAU’s newest software applications, which organizes data for emergency drills and exercises.
How Exercise Builder Nuclear helps emergency directors better prepare for possible nuclear disasters
ORAU’s Exercise Builder Nuclear (EBN) application is designed to facilitate nuclear emergency preparedness exercises from start to finish. Launched in 2013, EBN is used by 42 of the 55 operating nuclear power plants in the U.S.
Erin Gilliland
2025
At ORAU, the Workforce Solutions group takes recruitment to the next level by specializing in niche industries, partnering with organizational leaders to fill talent needs and supporting critical national missions.
Teachers were transformed into students as they asked questions, posited hypotheses and learned about nature during Wildly Fun Animal Observers, a professional development course offered by ORAU on June 27.
In Scientific Studio, teachers of different grade levels and subjects participated in art projects that serve as a gateway to STEAM. The teachers who participated in the seminar got a firsthand look at why these types of lessons are so fun by completing the projects themselves, discussing why their students would enjoy them and different applications for different grade levels.
ORAU consortium member, Emory University, shares the importance of developing research and looking for technology transfer applications.
He calls himself Bill Nye the Finance Guy, but everyone else knows him as Archie Smart. As a project manager on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Dose Reconstruction Project, he’s been with ORAU for more than 20 years doing a little bit of everything in operations.
Kevin Farris
2024
Beneath Reelfoot Lake’s tranquil surface lies a dramatic history that ties directly to the earthquake preparedness work of ORAU.
Matthew Underwood
2025
Learn about Dr. Helen Vodopick-Goswitz, who worked in the ORINS Medical Division, as a part of the Clinical Division doing work with the ORINS Cancer Research Hospital.
Learn how ORAU impacts the lifecycle of a STEM employee, from offering K-12 STEM education courses all the way through professional development programs for researchers.
ORAU’s recent professional development course showed teachers how to turn their robotics equipment into a classroom success.
The Bricks2Beams program offers 6th to 8th graders a unique opportunity to explore the design and operation of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) while sparking their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Learn about the problem facing the United States in supplying the demand of the nuclear workforce and the steps we must take together to solve the problem.
Learn about some of the atomic board games located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including a couple surrounding the hunt for uranium in the 1950s.
Take an inside look at Safety Fest TN 2025, which featured safety classes, demonstrations, and other activities for spectators.
Learn why K-12 teachers should take part in ORAU’s professional development programs this summer, including a look at some of the topics that will be covered.
Learn about the Radium water jugs located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including how the design changed over time.
Learn about the “Radium Dance” located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including where the music originated from.
Discover some of the terms you need to know relating to epidemiology and exposure science, such as biostatistics and safety culture.
Learn about the career of Alvin Weinberg, Ph.D., which led him to be the first director of the Institute for Energy Analysis at ORAU.
Learn more about two items in ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity that are tied to the bombing of Hiroshima, rebar from the Aioi Bridge and an autographed photo of the Enola Gay crew.
ORAU was involved in a recent Habitat for Humanity project, giving employees the chance to volunteer and make a huge impact for a local family.
Check out the results of the 2025 Tennessee Science Bowl and discover what’s next for the winning team.
Learn about the Radium Boot Polish at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including how the product got its name.
Learn more about the wall tile from Hiroshima located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including who donated the item.
Learn about the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions, and discover why one ORAU employee plans to attend the event.
Learn about the upcoming Tennessee Science Bowl and see why ORAU employees love volunteering to help with the event.
Discover some fun facts about the Boy Scout Atomic Energy Merit Badge at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, such as the requirements for the badge.
Learn more about ORAU’s more than 30 years of experience managing comprehensive health programs for a wide range of occupational exposures.
Discover everything you need to know about the roof tile from Hiroshima located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including how it ended up in Oak Ridge.
Many household items and other common objects made during the 1950s and 1960s contained uranium. During this time period, the government was encouraging members of the public to hunt for uranium. The federal governments Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) sponsored the search and advertised fixed rates for uranium ore to go along with bonuses for new discoveries. As a result, you…
Discover what can be learned from forensic science with ORAU’s services, such as how education and training are performed for the next generation.
Learn about the contaminated tea at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including how it became affected by radiation.
Learn about the light cover from Chernobyl located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including how it made its way back to the United States.
Learn more about William Brucer M.D., who was one of the early figures in the history of ORINS, which later became ORAU.
Learn more about the life and career of Brenda Blunt, senior director of Health Policy at ORAU
Discover some fun facts about the shoe-fitting fluoroscope at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, such as who all claims to have invented the machine.
Take a look at some of the atomic toys and items for children located at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including the Atomic Energy Lab.
Learn about what students and teachers have to look forward to at this year’s ARC Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge, including the chance to interact with subject matter experts.
Discover everything you need to know about ORAU’s Math & Movement STEM education program, including the dates for this year’s event.
Learn about some of the K-12 STEM education programs offered by ORAU, including the Extreme Classroom Makeover.
Discover how ORAU is connected to the important work of NOAA in climate research and atmospheric science.
Discover some of the fun facts about the atomic movie posters at ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, including where the ideas for the movies originated.
Learn about the core values that define ORAU and the ways we support our customers, including quality and innovation.