5 years of the ATOMIC FORUM Foundation

For 5 years now, the FORUM ATOMOWE Foundation has been educating the Polish public in physics and related sciences, but above all in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and radioactivity. on 10 July 2008, the Foundation was officially registered and since then it has been implementing several interesting and valuable projects.

The ATOMOWE FORUM consists of a team of young, active and ambitious people, specialists in their fields, including nuclear physics, radiological protection, energy, environmental protection, who are supported by scientific staff of Polish institutes with extensive teaching and popularisation experience. The Foundation does not limit its activities to one selected social group, but pays special attention to young people. In the educational programmes of Polish primary and secondary education, the number of hours of science subjects has been reduced in recent years. The most effective method of imparting knowledge to young people is direct contact with young specialists who, using modern and interactive teaching methods, are able to convey information about atomic and radiation science in an attractive way.

The Foundation’s largest and most recognisable project is the “Atomic Bus – Mobile Laboratory”, which has already toured the whole of Poland twice! The campaign was carried out in the largest academic centres in the country and in the sites of the potential location of the first Polish nuclear power plant, in the north-western areas of Poland. “Atomic Bus” is a mobile information centre, equipped with a range of teaching aids (audiovisual equipment, demonstration facilities and equipment, and a mini nuclear laboratory). In direct discussions with visitors to the information and education stand, Foundation staff offered free, objective and as up-to-date knowledge as possible on, among other things, radiological protection, the nature of radioactivity, the reactor construction technologies and safety systems used, and the costs of building a future nuclear power plant, taking into account environmental aspects. During the two editions, the “Atomic Bus” travelled 5,800 km, visited 23 cities and towns – universities, schools, public institutions, FORUM staff spent 138 hours conducting demonstrations at the stands and answering questions from visitors, and gave 66 popular science seminars. The education stand was visited by at least 8,000 people.

Poles’ knowledge of atomic science in the broadest sense is very limited. At the time when we decide to develop nuclear power in Poland, it is very important to prepare the public to be able to objectively and based on up-to-date knowledge to respond to the need to build nuclear power plants. The consequence of these activities will undoubtedly be social acceptance for this investment, important for the development of our country. That is why, since the beginning of its activity, the Foundation has been carrying out the project “Meetings with Atomic Energy”, which are directed and adjusted to the age category of the participants. Some 2,000 people have already taken part in 32 meetings to date. In partnership with the Kashubian-Pomeranian University of Science and Technology in Wejherowo, we hold teaching sessions for junior and senior high schools in Pomerania, from the vicinity of the planned nuclear power plant construction site. The classes are conducted according to a specially prepared didactic programme at the Foundation entitled. “tamed Atom”, which deals with issues relating to electricity, ionising radiation and nuclear power plant safety. It provides not only an interesting lecture illustrated with demonstrations, but also interaction with students – competitions or exercises. Students have the opportunity, among other things, to assess their effective dose from natural and artificial ionising radiation or to investigate hypothetical locations for a nuclear power plant.

Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly popular to transfer knowledge using computer techniques and the Internet. Following the global trend, the ATOM FORUM Foundation team is preparing an e-learning platform, Nukleo.pl, which will perfectly complement the process of stationary education of pupils and students, as well as society as a whole. The portal consists of three parts: physics, technology and society. Interesting popular science texts will be enriched with numerous illustrations and brilliant animations! Two characters will introduce visitors to the world of physics and technology: Marysia and Albert, modelled on scientists who played an important role in the development of nuclear power: Albert Einstein and Maria Skłodowska-Curie. The above sections will be complemented by a glossary of terms and a quiz. The platform will be launched this summer. The energiajadrowa.pl thematic portal is also being developed and will be edited on an ongoing basis by the Foundation’s volunteers.

The activities of the ATOM FORUM Foundation can be followed on the website www.forumatomowe.org. The Foundation’s employees are convinced that only through reliable, comprehensive information and education, as well as broad, direct public participation in public debates, can full support be obtained for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Poland, as well as in other countries taking on a similar challenge. However, regardless of the implementation of this investment, the Foundation intends to continue and expand its activities, it wants to serve the public, and as Albert Einstein used to say: “It is important never to stop asking. Curiosity does not exist without a cause. So it is enough if we try to understand at least a little of this mystery every day. Never lose the sacred curiosity. He who cannot ask, cannot live.”