• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Oak Ridge Schools to host panel discussion, documentary screening for ‘Oppenheimer’

Posted at 2:00 am July 19, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools will host a free, community-centered red carpet event Wednesday featuring a 90-minute panel discussion and a screening of the documentary film “Oppenheimer After Trinity.”

The panel—made up of local scientists, historians, filmmakers, and Oak Ridge students—will re-examine the conversations held over 80 years ago surrounding the splitting of the atom and discuss the development and deployment of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and their potential impact on future generations, a press release said.

The event will be held at the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium on Wednesday, July 19, from 6-8:30 p.m. and it will include free popcorn and soda for attendees. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for guests to mingle, enjoy the red carpet, and take photos, the press release said.

“As a nod to the birth of Oak Ridge, 1940s era attire is encouraged, though not required,” the release said

Held during Premiere Week for the blockbuster film “Oppenheimer,” the event presents an opportunity to celebrate the unique history of the Oak Ridge community and position Oak Ridge students alongside community leaders to encourage their intellectual growth and prepare them as the next generation of industry leaders on the global stage, the press release said.

Robert Oppenheimer was a physicist who led the scientific work to develop the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oak Ridge was a production site for the project.

WHAT: A free, community-centered red-carpet event featuring a 90-minute panel discussion around the development and deployment of emerging technologies and their potential impact on future generations, accompanied by a screening of the documentary film “Oppenheimer After Trinity.”

WHEN: Wednesday, July 19, from 6-8:30 p.m.

WHO: Open to the public

WHERE: Oak Ridge High School Auditorium

FEATURED PANELISTS:

  • Lynne Parker, director of the AI Tennessee Initiative at University of Tennessee Knoxville
  • Prasanna Balaprakash, director of Oak Ridge National Lab Artificial Intelligence Initiative
  • Julie Ezold, technical adviser for the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program
  • Trent Di Giulio, director of “Oppenheimer After Trinity”
  • Ray Smith, City of Oak Ridge historian
  • Oak Ridge High School students:
  • Aaliyah Herron, senior
  • Isabella Zolnierczuk, senior
  • Odelia Kneiser, junior
  • Elena Vogt, sophomore

For more information on the event, visit www.ortn.edu/oppenheimer.

Filed Under: Entertainment, History, Movies, Top Stories Tagged With: atomic bomb, Manhattan Project, Robert Oppenheimer, World War II

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Entertainment News

Tennis court dances recreate wartime event

Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II. "Put on your … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Philharmonia presents two free concerts in August

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will present two free POPS concerts in August in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. "We hope you can join us for a generous portion of very enjoyable and inspiring music," a press release … [Read More...]

Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival this weekend

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival kicks off Friday at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with three nationally-known storytellers sharing tales and music that will make you laugh, sing, and learn as you … [Read More...]

Volunteer team plans Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival

Volunteers from civic, charitable, and business organizations throughout the community are planning to welcome three renowned storytellers to Oak Ridge for the June 7 and 8 Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Playhouse offers reimagined ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

Oak Ridge Playhouse is closing out its 81st season of shows with an exciting revamp of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved masterpiece, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," a press release said. It's … [Read More...]

More Entertainment

Recent Posts

  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###
  • Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest
  • Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president
  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing
  • Two fires reported early Friday

Search Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today