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Updates from the SRSCRO
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October 2019
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Follow us on Twitter!
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Rick McLeod @atomicasset
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Inspiring a Generation
 Relevant. Motivational. Impactful. That is how students and teachers described the 7th annual STEM Career Connections
® event hosted by the SRSCRO. Over 400 attendees gathered at the Kroc Center in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday, October 17th to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers available in the two-state, SRSCRO region.
The interactive forum involved high school juniors and seniors from 22 high schools. Local industry representatives provided hands-on exhibits and industry speakers offered students a real-life perspective of local careers. Nuclear, Manufacturing and Cyber career opportunities were in the spotlight.
 "At this event, I've learned a lot about the different opportunities I have in STEM careers. This has been very beneficial to my college and career path," said a senior high school student in attendance.
A junior high school student commented, "Speakers were upfront about their jobs and did not sugar coat them! I felt very inspired during the whole event and work towards my future."
Local industries helped make the event possible by providing 13 sponsorships, 32 exhibitors and 7 speakers. To date, at least 2,000 students from the region have attended this unique forum that continues to help answer the question, "What does a STEM career look like in my community?"
 The message about local career pathways is also helpful to educators. One Aiken County Success Coach summed up many of the comments from the event, "There was so much good information about STEM careers and soft skills. I appreciate that it was delivered to the students in a way that made it relevant to them. Also, the presenters were able to keep the students engaged and attentive..."
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Washington DC Four-Chamber Trip
In a collaborative effort hosted by the Augusta, North Augusta, Aiken, and Columbia County Chambers of Commerce, a group of local leaders made its annual visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this week. The annual trip to Washington provides an opportunity for regional leaders to make the trek to our nation's capital for three days of visits to have their collective voice heard. The size of the regional group along with the expertise and organizations/institutions represented is impressive and does make a difference with government agencies and elected officials.
During the trip, the leaders met with Senators, Congressmen and staffers from both South Carolina and Georgia. Appointments were made with government agencies with a community impact such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD). In addition, the group heard a presentation from Van D. Hipp, Jr., Chairman, American Defense International, Inc. a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm specializing in government affairs, business development and public relations. The group visited the U.S. Department of Education and had briefings related to the Army Cyber Command expected community impact from the National Association of Realtors, the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, and the Fort Meade Alliance.
Community leaders with direct ties to the SRSCRO included Sue Parr, David Jameson, Dr. Sandra Jordan, Terra Carroll, Tammy Shepherd, Robbie Bennett, and Rick McLeod.
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Nuclear Science Week 2019
 Thousands of people in the SRSCRO region participated in Nuclear Science Week celebrations from October 14 - 18, 2019. Local activities brought citizens together with a focus on the important contributions made through nuclear technology.
Social events, facility tours, classroom activities and festivals were all in the mix of programs available throughout the region. Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) hosted multiple activities including the well-attended
Annual Edward Teller Lecture, featuring Michael Shellenberger, Founder & President of Environmental Progress. CNTA also hosted an Oyster Roast that raised funds to support young professional CNTA activities within the organization. Meanwhile, both Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Plant Vogtle provided unique facility tours, with a focus on future career opportunities for students. USC Salkehatchie and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center hosted Education Days with interactive programs for middle and high school students. CNTA is still at work through the remaining weeks of October with their annual Nuclear Blitz, an educational outreach program on nuclear science for high school students. See a listing of all regional activities at
www.celebratensw.org.
Nuclear Science Week is significant to the region. This community is at the forefront of important scientific advances, and Nuclear Science Week provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate and learn. A
special section of the Aiken Standard highlights regional innovations.
Nuclear Science Week is an international, broadly observed, week-long celebration that focuses on all aspects of nuclear science. Annual activities are directed through an International Steering Committee led by the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, a Smithsonian affiliate, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The SRSCRO serves on the International Steering Committee and hosts the Nuclear Science Week Regional Coordination Committee.
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STEM Career Connections
2019
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Fall Foliage
Fun Facts
1. Although we notice the leaves change color in the fall, the red, orange and yellow pigments are actually present in leaves all year round! The only difference is that during other seasons, the pigments are primarily underneath the leaves' surface.
2. The reason these beautiful colors come out in the fall has to do with the change in sunlight - as the summer sun starts to die down, the chemical chlorophyll breaks down, which brings out the hidden colors.
3. Some suspect that global warming may have a negative impact on fall foliage, since part of the reason leaves change has to do with the change in temperature.
4. A leaf's color is typically a result of the species of tree it can be found on - for example, the leaves on aspen trees are generally a golden yellow during the fall months.
5. Leaves that fall to the ground during this time of year are extremely important for the ecosystem, as they become a form of protection for tree seeds as they germinate during the winter.
6. Plants have different personalities, just like humans are all different. Some will turn their leaves at the first sign of light or temperature change, and others will wait a little bit longer. That could explain why one tree in your yard has already changed while other identical trees have not.
7. While Americans typically use the word "fall," the British use the word "autumn," though both terms date around the 16th century. Before these terms, the period was called "harvest."
8. According to Greek legend, autumn begins when Persephone returns to Hades in the underworld. Heartbroken, her mother, the goddess of grain and harvest, allows the crops on Earth to die until her daughter returns in the spring.
9. The word "harvest" comes from the Old Norse word haust, which means "to gather or pluck." As people moved to the cities, "harvest" fell out of use and city dwellers began to use "fall of the leaf," which was shortened to "fall" to describe the change in season.
10. Each autumn, monarch butterflies migrate from the U.S. to Mexico and some parts of Southern California. They fly at speeds ranging between 12 and 25 miles per hour. Monarch butterflies are the only insect that migrates to a warmer climate that is 2,500
miles away.
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Closing Thoughts
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To get something done, a committee should consist of no more than three men, two of whom are absent. -- Robert Copeland
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example. -- Mark Twain
The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it. -- Francois de La Rochefoucauld
A conference is a gathering of important people who singly can do nothing, but together can decide that nothing can be done. -- Fred Allen
A person is always startled when he hears himself seriously called an old man for the first time. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
After all is said and done, a lot more will be said than done. -- Unknown
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Contact Information
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SRSCRO, PO Box 696, Aiken, SC 29802
Staff:
Rick McLeod - President/CEO - 803-508-7402
Mindy Mets - Director of Regional Workforce Programs - 803-508-7403
Amy Merry - Administrative & Business Manager - 803-508-7401
Kim Saxon - Assistant Coordinator - 803-508-7656
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