Pre-College Programs

Young Investigators’ Summer Program in Nuclear Engineering
Dates: afternoon check-in on July 13, residential program runs from July 14 to August 1, 2025 

Join our three-week residential academic experience that engages participants in the role that nuclear engineering plays in meeting the needs of society and solving everyday problems.

  • Open to high school rising juniors, rising seniors & graduating seniors
  • Participate in lectures, labs, small group projects & industrial field trips
  • Topics include nuclear energy, radiation detection & applications, nuclear materials, nuclear security, nuclear waste management, industrial plasmas, etc.
  • Applications open: January 15 annually, click here to apply at that time
  • Deadline: April 30 annually
  • Decisions: starting May 1 annually
  • All inclusive cost $2100 (dorm room, on-campus meals & industrial trips). The overall cost is kept low for all students through Duke Energy funding. As such, there are no individual tuition scholarships available.
  • Sample program click here


High School Science Class Departmental Visits
an opportunity to visit NC State’s Department of Nuclear Engineering. Hear about classes, research, nuclear careers, tour lab(s) including our PULSTAR research reactor.

  • Visit Nuclear Engineering Program, fall & spring semesters
  • Interested in scheduling, contact us


Merit Badge
s
Saturday programming to introduce nuclear science and technologies that occurs during the academic semesters. Interested in scheduling, contact us.

 

Science Teachers’ Workshop in Nuclear Engineering
Two-day workshop for science teachers (e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science) on nuclear science & technology topics. Includes visit to PULSTAR research reactor & other facilities, hands-on lab and nuclear engineering education/career review. Research topic alternates each summer workshop. Past topics included fission reactor engineering, radiation detection & shielding, plasma science & engineering as well as fusion energy.

Second day involves a visit to an industrial nuclear facility such as Duke Energy’s Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant or GE-Hitachi’s Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Facility.

  • Additional information forthcoming
  • 2.0 CEU credits provided

 

“Our Nuclear World” Educator Workshops
1.5 to 2.0 hour long workshops on nuclear science and technology.