Oak Ridge Today

Nikon Small World opens at AMSE June 13

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AMSE Nikon Small World Marine Worm

Third place: Alvaro Esteves Migotto, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Centro de Biologia Marinha, Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Marine worm,” (Stereomicroscopy, darkfield, 20X) (Submitted photo)

 

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Glimpse into a remarkable world that most have never seen. It is a window into the universe that can only be seen through the lens of a microscope, when Nikon Small World’s award winning photomicrographs exhibition opens June 13 at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

Combining the skills in microscopy and photography, a photomicrograph is able to capture an image of the world that the naked eye cannot see. A freelance photographer and artist with a passion for aquatic microorganisms, Wim van Egmond of The Netherlands, sought to blend art and science to capture the complexity and stunning detail of this fragile helical chain.

“I approach micrographs as if they are portraits. The same way you look at a person and try to capture their personality, I observe an organism and try to capture it as honestly and realistically as possible,” said Egmond of his winning image of a marine diatom, a colonial plankton organism. “At the same time, this image is about form, rhythm and composition. The positioning of the helix, the directions of the bristles, the subdued colors, and contrast all bring together a balance that is both dynamic and tranquil.” [Read more…]

DOE public bus tour begins June 2

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DOE Public Bus Tour

A U.S. Department of Energy public bus tour in August 2012. (DOE photo/Lynn Freeny)

Visitors see Oak Ridge’s past and present

The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2014 Oak Ridge facilities public bus tour begins June 2 and continues through August 29. The tour offers visitors a first-hand look at the DOE’s Oak Ridge facilities and provides historical commentary on the transformation of the Oak Ridge Reservation during the past 70 years.

The reservation-wide tour is a popular attraction for tourists visiting the area. Since its inception in 1996, the DOE public tour program has attracted more than 30,000 visitors from all 50 states. The three-hour tour allows visitors to see the Oak Ridge Reservation and learn about its history. It also provides participants a chance to find out about the world-class missions underway in Oak Ridge.

Bus stops include: [Read more…]

Summer camps: Science at AMSE Explorer Camp

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AMSE Science CampSubmitted

Make new friends while you discover land and water habitats of animals and insects, make weather forecast predictions, connect electric circuits, solve a mystery using forensic science, and do more experiments and hands-on activities at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp for rising fifth (must be 10 years old by June 1), sixth, and seventh graders at two identical one-week sessions from June 9–13 and June 16–20 at Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge.

“For 25 years the Science Camp has provided 1,200 kids with a real-life experience of how science is important in every aspect of life with the emphasis of how we use science every day,” said Kris Light, science educator at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp. “Campers end their weekly summer session with a greater appreciation of the world around them and a better understanding of the many fields of science. [Read more…]

AMSE calendar of events for May

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The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

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Here is a calendar of events for the American Museum of Science and Energy in May:

  • May 1–31: Registration Open for AMSE Science Explorer Camp for rising 5th graders (must be 10 years old by June 1, 2014) 6th graders and 7th graders. Two identical one-week sessions are offered June 9-13 and June 16–20 from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Monday–Friday) at historic Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge. Campers will do field explorations and hands-on activities related to land and water habitats, life sciences, geology, weather, flight, forensic science, and electricity. The week includes a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and special presentations by ORNL researchers. Cost is $150 for AMSE members, and $175 for non-members. AMSE Science Explorer Camp is sponsored by the AMSE Foundation. Find Camp Registration form online at http://amse.org/visitors/summercamps/ or stop by AMSE to get a form. [Read more…]

Register for AMSE Science Explorer Camp

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AMSE Logo

Science field explorations, hands-on activities, and a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be offered during the American Museum of Science and Energy’s Science Explorer Camp for rising fifth, sixth, and seventh graders during two June sessions. Rising fifth graders must be 10 years old by June 10.

Located at Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge, AMSE’s Science Explorer Camp is scheduled for June 9-13 (Monday-Friday) and June 16-20 (Monday-Friday) from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The cost for a one-week camp session is $150 for AMSE members and $175 for non-members. Camp registration is available online here or stop by AMSE to get a camp registration form, a press release said.

Curious about insects, land and water habitats, life science, weather, geology, fossils, flight, electricity and forensic science? AMSE Science Explorer Camp, sponsored by the AMSE Foundation, introduces students to a variety of science and nature topics in a fun learning environment, the press release said. For 25 years, the Science Explorer Camp has served students with field study and hands-on activities developed by the original educators that enthusiastically continue to teach the summer sessions. [Read more…]

AMSE celebrates 65 years on Wednesday

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The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

The American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge will celebrate its 65th birthday on Wednesday, and the public is invited.

The birthday celebration starts at 2 p.m. in the AMSE lobby.

AMSE, originally named the American Museum of Atomic Energy, shares its birthday opening on March 19, 1949, with the gate opening of the 1940s Secret City of Oak Ridge and the birth of twin girls (Madeleine Leigh and Amanda Anne) to Bill and Audrey Tewes. On the 16th birthday of the Tewes twins, AMSE’s mechanical hands held their birthday cake. Madeleine Leigh will attend the AMSE 65th birthday. Bill Tewes, who came to Oak Ridge with the Special Engineer Detachment in the 1940s, has been a strong supporter of AMSE. [Read more…]

Painter, archaeologist to discuss growing up in Oak Ridge, 1951-1976

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Nick Fielder

Nick Fielder

A painter and former state archeologist will discuss his experiences growing up in Oak Ridge from 1951 to 1976 during a Thursday evening meeting.

Nick Fielder served as the Tennessee State Archeologist from 1983 to 2008. His Thursday evening presentation to the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association is titled “Growing up radioactive in Oak Ridge: My adventures from 1951 to 1976. A slide-illustrated lecture by Nick Fielder.”

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at the American Museum of Science and Energy. [Read more…]

Holidays: Create an AMSE flattop memory, buy a board on the boardwalk

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Create a memory and recognize an individual, family, grandparent, or business when purchasing a “Board on the Boardwalk” leading to the 1940s flattop house at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

With your support of the “Buy A Board on the Boardwalk” campaign, you can help maintain and preserve the flattop for future generations as AMSE and the AMSE Foundation continue to oversee the flattop maintenance, boardwalk entrance, and interior of the 1940s home.

Buy a board for $250 and prepare a personal name or message of up to 48 characters to be inscribed on a 4″x6″ bronze plaque, which will be secured to the board on the boardwalk that leads to the entrance of the AMSE flattop. [Read more…]

AMSE’s operating contract with for-profit could be replaced by nonprofit

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American Museum of Science and Energy

The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

The contract with the for-profit company that runs the American Museum of Science and Energy will change from quarterly to monthly starting Jan. 1, and a museum expert could be hired on an interim basis to assess the museum, its place in the community, and a logical new operating structure.

The museum is now funded by the U.S. Department of Energy at a cost of about $1.5 to $1.6 million per year, said David Keim, communications director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Revenues from the gift shop, admissions, and programs add up to about $300,000 per year.

But officials have long said that the department should not be operating the museum.

“It’s always been a government-funded operation,” Keim said. But, “DOE is not in the museum business.”

In June, a group of museum directors brought to Oak Ridge from around the country recommended that the museum be run by a community-based nonprofit organization—not DOE and not a for-profit company, Keim said. [Read more…]

DOE summer bus tours end Aug. 30

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DOE Public Bus Tour

This year’s public bus tours of the U.S. Department of Energy’s facilities in Oak Ridge end on Aug. 30. (Photo courtesy DOE/Lynn Freeny)

The public bus tours of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge facilities end Aug. 30. It’s the last day of the 2013 season.

The tours include stops at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, and East Tennessee Technology Park, and they provide historical commentary on the transformation of the Oak Ridge Reservation during the past 65 years.

So far this season, 1,148 visitors from 43 states have participated in the summer tour, a press release said. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival features ‘something for everyone’

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Homemade Wine Band

The Homemade Wine Band played after the Friday morning opening ceremony at the Secret City Festival.

The annual Secret City Festival started today, and it features Manhattan Project bus tours and history displays, World War II living history activities and demonstrations, arts and crafts and antiques dealers, food vendors and exhibitors, a children’s festival area and youth events, and a car show and concerts.

“Join more than 20,000 visitors and residents to celebrate the end of World War II and the heritage of Oak Ridge from 1945 to the present,” a press release said.

Oak Ridge was built during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, a federal program to build the world’s atomic bombs, and the festival celebrates the city’s heritage.

Festival organizers have provided an overview of some of the many activities and events taking place at this year’s festival:
 [Read more…]

DOE’s public bus tour begins Monday

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2013 Oak Ridge facilities public bus tour begins June 3 and continues through Aug. 30. The tour offers visitors a first-hand look at the DOE’s Oak Ridge facilities and provides historical commentary on the transformation of the Oak Ridge Reservation during the past 70 years.

The reservation-wide tour is a popular destination for tourists visiting the area. Since its inception in 1996, the DOE public tour program has attracted more than 29,000 visitors from all 50 states. The three-hour tour allows visitors to see the reservation and learn historical facts and updates on the world-class missions under way in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]