Atomic Bus set off in Poland for the third time
The third edition of the “Atomic Bus – Mobile Laboratory” project has come to an end. In the course of 10 days, it was possible to visit as many as 12 Pomeranian locations, where students from local schools and local residents could learn not only about nuclear energy, radiological protection, radioactivity or other sources of electricity, but also see unique demonstrations and talk to young experts.
This year’s route of the Atomic Bus passed through cities and towns in the Pomeranian and West Pomeranian Voivodeships (Szczecin, Kołobrzeg, Koszalin, Darłowo, Słupsk, Puck, Gniewino, Choczewo, Krokowa, Wierzchucino, Wejherowo, Łeba). In previous years, the Mobile Laboratory exhibited mainly in academic centres, but the interest of students from local schools was so great that this year the ATOM FORUM Foundation decided to organise meetings specifically for schoolchildren – in junior and senior high schools. This year, the demonstration of the fission of uranium atoms in 3D technology was the most popular! The holographic presentation made a huge impression on both young and old, but, most importantly, it fulfilled its educational purpose by depicting the fission process. Pupils were also able to see in detail a mock-up of a nuclear power plant, a steam engine and a reactor, and learn what these mechanisms are and how they work. For those more thirsty for knowledge, seminars were organised to complement the physics news on ionising radiation and radiation protection and nuclear reactor safety.
The arrival of the Atomic Bus was an important event for the residents of the municipalities of Gniewino, Krokowa, and Choczewo, which are selected as locations for the construction of nuclear power plants. Residents participated with great commitment in the lectures and presentations prepared by the Foundation and eagerly asked increasingly difficult questions. – If we talk more about nuclear power and have a need to know how to use it, this will influence the awareness of the public and convince residents that the whole investment project is safe and can be realised in Poland – said Urszula Doppke, head of the PGE information point in Krokowa.
We did a tremendous amount of hard work continuously, day after day, giving lectures, booth presentations and answering numerous questions from visitors. We estimate that at least 2,600 people attended the stand presentations and seminars. The formula of transmitting knowledge about nuclear energy in the form of a mobile laboratory once again proved to be attractive, worth the commitment and effort put into the implementation of this action. I would like to thank all the Sponsors and Partners: PGE EJ 1 Sp. z o.o., AREVA, EDF, EY, General Electric Hitachi and WorleyParsons, as well as the Central Radiation Protection Laboratory and the Radioactive Waste Disposal Plant, without whom it would not have been possible to continue the biggest project carried out by our organisation
– concluded the Foundation’s President, Łukasz Koszuk.
The “Atomic Bus – Mobile Laboratory” project has been shortlisted for the final of the PIME Avard competition for the best information and education campaign on nuclear energy. Its adjudication will take place at the PIME Comunicating Nuclear conference on 18 February 2014 in Ljubljana.
