OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - Employees from DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) spoke with freshmen and sophomores enrolled in computer science classes at a Knoxville high school last week.
While environmental cleanup is not usually associated with that field of study, Hardin Valley Academy computer science and web design instructor Sandra Blount invited the employees after viewing a 3-D virtual tour created by OREM Graphic Specialist David Brown.
With public outreach and community involvement as cornerstones of OREM’s mission, the employees were excited to discuss science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects related to DOE and EM.
They kicked off their presentation with a brief history of DOE and its origin in science and engineering before fast forwarding 75 years to the Department’s current diverse missions. The students then learned about the Oak Ridge’s EM program and all of the STEM careers needed to achieve its cleanup mission from nuclear, chemical, and civil engineers to environmental scientists, biologists, toxicologists, and graphic designers such as Brown.
Brown shared his education and career background with the students. Years before his career at OREM, he was a student working toward a fine arts degree and a manager of a sign shop. During that time, he bought a computer and discovered a community of developers and an interest in developing video games. The gaming enthusiast was then offered a position at one of the world’s largest video game development companies.
“Hopefully, they left understanding the importance of embracing learning, and realizing they have the ability to begin pursuing their dreams and refining their craft now," Brown said. “These students have so many more resources available to help them on their journey than when I began in this field."
Brown is responsible for all of the graphics and visualization needs for OREM. After joining the organization, he applied his video game development background to transform his role in graphic design into one involving coding, scripting, design, and world building.
Brown has completed 3-D projects that educate viewers about Oak Ridge’s past and its vision for the future. These projects have ranged from helping OREM promote its cleanup strategy associated with a new mercury treatment facility and engineered disposal facility to recreating a 1950s replica of the former K-25 site for visitors at the K-25 History Center.
“It was exciting that some students expressed interest in entering web and game development careers," Brown said. “If some students choose other fields, the main takeaway is that they can create jobs they enjoy by being proactive, growing, and expanding their job description."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
