by: Jack Crowell
Jack Crowell (NPTS ’24) travelled to Prague and Vienna as a part of the J-Term global course to learn more about nuclear reactors.
This J-term, I joined professor Dr. George Moore, Dr. Carolyn Meyer, and the faculty at the Czech Technical University’s Nuclear Sciences Department for an exciting course which took place primarily in Prague. This practicum is designed to expose MIIS students, who generally deal with the policy side of nuclear affairs, to the scientific and technical aspects of radioactivity, nuclear safety, and reactor operation. At Czech Technical University (CTU), my fellow students and I had the opportunity to conduct experiments with and operate a real nuclear research reactor, known as the VR-1. As someone who doesn’t come from a scientific background, this course did a lot to help me understand the basics of nuclear physics by giving me the opportunity to engage with the subject in a very hands-on way. The faculty at CTU were great at not only explaining different scientific phenomena in ways that are accessible to the uninitiated, but also at showing us how they work in practice.
The course began by going over the fundamentals of how a nuclear reactor works before moving on to more complex material, such as the science behind radiation, the life cycle of a nuclear power plant, and the safety and security procedures of the nuclear industry, among other things. While much of our time was spent learning about and working with the VR-1, we also were able to visit other exciting nuclear facilities. One of these trips was to the experimental “GOLEM” nuclear fusion reactor. There we explored the emerging field of fusion technology and even got to try our hands at testing this state of the art piece of technology. We also visited the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As an NPTS student, nuclear power plants are a frequent item of study and discussion, and seeing one in person was quite enlightening, and helped give me a deeper understanding of how nuclear power is generated. The practicum ended with a three night stay in Vienna. This portion of the trip was focused on touring the facilities of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), two critical organizations in the current efforts to limit the testing and spread of nuclear weapons, respectively.
During this course, I also got to soak up the beauty and culture of Prague. The city is a treasure trove for those like me who enjoy architecture and history. I would certainly encourage anyone who attends this practicum to go on the tour given by course director Dr. Lubomir Sklenka. As a Prague resident of many years, Lubomir gave us a local’s eye view of some of the city’s most interesting sights, including historic buildings, urban gardens, and winding, medieval passageways. Prague is also a haven for those who love good food, coffee, and beer. Czech food is quite hearty, which is very welcome on cold January days. To find the best restaurants in town, I recommend walking a few blocks away from major tourist sights such as the Powder Gate or the Charles Bridge. The restaurants which are crowded around areas like these are generally less authentic and more expensive. If you do a bit of exploring down the narrow, cobbled streets of the city to find smaller local establishments, your stomach and your wallet will thank you! One should also know that English is not widely spoken in Prague, and that learning a few basic Czech words and phrases on Duolingo or another language learning app can help quite a bit for navigating the city.
This experience was a great way to enrich my education here at MIIS. It gave me valuable insight into aspects of nonproliferation that I would never have gotten otherwise. I believe that having a basic understanding of the technical side of the field is important in developing well-informed policy positions on nuclear issues. The deepening of my knowledge of technology and science related to the field has not only enhanced my studies at MIIS, but has also given me new skills to offer to my future employer. By using an activity-focused model for the course, the CTU faculty are able to make a subject that may seem quite daunting and heavy into something that is fun, engaging, and informative.