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1204 Whiskey Rd, Suite B 2017 CNTA Essay Scholarship |
Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness Essay Contest
The Winners!
Four area high school seniors each earned a $1,000 cash prize in the 2017 CNTA High School Essay Contest. Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), an Aiken-based nuclear education organization, recently announced the winners of its 11th annual writing contest
Their winning essays are linked below in Portable Document Format (PDF), with authors alphabetical by surname. Please use your browser's "back" button to return to this page.
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Jared DeMass - Aiken High School |
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Maxwell DiPrete - Greenbrier High School |
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Justin McCorkle - Greenbrier High School |
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Steven Poore - Silver Bluff High School |
In addition to the $1,000 prize, the winners' schools will each receive $500 for classroom supplies and equipment.
Jim Marra, CNTA Executive Director, said the quality of the nuclear-themed essays this year is promising.
"The submissions to this year's contest demonstrated that the students are knowledgeable, passionate, and astute about nuclear technology," Marra said. "It's a growing industry, not only in our area, but worldwide. I am hopeful that this will provide a spark to the students to pursue a career in the nuclear field."
Each student picked one of three topics for this year's contest: the importance of nuclear isotopes in medicine and the U.S. dependence on foreign supply; the effect of nuclear plant closures on the stability of the electric grid, the surrounding economy, and greenhouse gas emissions; and the risks of on-site radioactive waste storage at generator facilities vs. the risks associated with transporting radioactive material to long-term storage facilities or repositories.
The contest was open to high school juniors or seniors in Aiken, Allendale, and Barnwell counties in South Carolina, and Burke, Columbia, and Richmond counties in Georgia; homeschool students; and students of CNTA member famillies. The winners, their families, and a teacher of the winner's choice will be honored at the upcoming Teller Lecture and Banquet to be held during Nuclear Science Week, October 16-20, 2017.
Introduction
CNTA is an Aiken-based charitable educational organization dedicated to providing factual information about nuclear topics and educating the public on nuclear issues. The annual essay contest is one of many educational projects sponsored by CNTA that include the annual Teller Lecture and Banquet, monthly Up & Atom breakfasts, an interactive nucleus exhibit at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, a speaker's bureau, and periodic teachers' workshops that assist middle and high school teachers in bringing nuclear science topics into the classroom.
Contest
Current junior and senior high school students in these counties, and current CNTA members' family regardless of their county of enrollment, were invited to submit a 1,000-1,500 word essay on one of the following topics:
- Discuss the importance of isotopes in today's medicine and the U.S. dependence on foreign supply.
- Discuss the effects of nuclear power plant closures either nationally or internationally. How do these closures affect the stability of the electric grid, the economy of the surrounding areas, and the effect on greenhouse gas emissions?
- Discuss the risks of on-site storage of radioactive waste at generator facilities vs. the potential risks associated with transporting the radioactive material to a long-term storage facility or repository.
The effort involves researching a topic and preparing an essay on the subject. CNTA has books and other reference materials that may be of help to student applicants.
The competition is judged by the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness staff and representatives from the general membership.
Recognition
- The essay contest winner(s) will receive a $1,000 scholarship while their school will be awarded $500.
- Contest winners will be recognized at the annual Edward Teller Lecture/Banquet.
Resources
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Essay Contest Flyer (PDF Format)
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2017 Essay Contest Rules (PDF Format)
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Downloadable Student Entry Form (Microsoft Word Format)
Dates and Requirements
February 28, 2017: Deadline date for essay submittal. The essay submittal must include a completed Official Student Entry Form. Electronic submittal is preferred.
Electronic Submittal: cnta@bellsouth.net
or Mail To: CNTA - Attention: Dr. Marissa Reigel - 1204 Whiskey Rd, Suite B, Aiken SC 29803-4318
March-April 2017: Notification of CNTA essay winner(s).
October 2017: Edward Teller Lecture/Banquet.
Visit the 2016 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2015 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2014 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2013 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2012 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2011 Essay Contest Page
Visit the 2010 Essay Contest Page
Return to Main Essay Contest Page
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