PIllars of Engagement Winners – Knowledge Transfer and Retention

Prepared by Jawaz SM - NAYGN Media Committee

Recognizing the NAYGN GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and the Asociación de Jóvenes por la Energía Nuclear en México (Association of Youth for Nuclear Energy in Mexico / AJENM) for winning the NAYGN Pillars of Engagement contest for the Knowledge Transfer and Retention category.

Asociación de Jóvenes por la Energía Nuclear en México

At one of Latin America’s largest science outreach events, the Noche de Estrellas (Night of the Stars), members of the NAYGN chapter, Asociación de Jóvenes por la Energía Nuclear en México (Association of Youth for Nuclear Energy in Mexico / AJENM), helped spark curiosity about nuclear science among hundreds of attendees.
Organized by the prestigious UNAM school, Noche de Estrellas is a free event that brings together professional and amateur astronomers, students, and members of the public to celebrate science. Named for its hallmark activity of observing the night sky through telescopes, the event features a wide range of scientific, cultural, and artistic activities.
AJENM actively participated by hosting educational stands in 3 locations across the event. Over the course of the 8-hours, the volunteers engaged 100 visitors through interactive presentations on nuclear energy and reactor fundamentals.
To make the experience accessible and fun for younger audiences, members introduced hands-on activities such as coloring illustrations of atomic particles, including protons, neutrons, and electrons (pictured below). These simple yet engaging exercises helped translate complex scientific concepts into memorable learning moments.
The effort reflects AJENM’s broader mission: to build a community of enthusiastic students and young professionals interested in nuclear energy while communicating its benefits to the public in a clear, transparent, and approachable way. Originally founded in 2003 during the Annual Congress of the Sociedad Nuclear Mexicana (Mexican Nuclear Society), the association was revitalized in 2023 by a new generation of students determined to continue advancing nuclear awareness and professional development.
The outreach effort proved impactful. Many young attendees expressed interest in pursuing nuclear science and joining AJENM, highlighting the importance of early engagement in the younger generation of nuclear.
NAYGN Continental awards the AJENM chapter 250 USD, which will be used to support upcoming initiatives: the development of a children’s book, another informational book for the public, and purchasing educational items & tools to promote nuclear.

GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy

The NAYGN GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy chapter has been recognized as a Knowledge Transfer & Retention Pillar Award winner for its communication submission highlighting a student engagement event hosted with the American Nuclear Society (ANS) chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The winning submission captured a presentation titled New Nuclear—Unleashing the Power of the SMRs, delivered by Paul Rodi, Senior Engineer supporting commissioning of the BWRX-300 project at GE Vernova. With nearly two decades in the nuclear industry, Rodi previously worked as an instrumentation and control test engineer on Plant Vogtle’s units 3 & 4 project from construction through commercial operations. Currently, he serves as Professional Development Co-Chair for the Wilmington, North Carolina chapter.
While GE Vernova is not formally affiliated with ANS at VCU, the collaboration was enabled through public outreach and Rodi’s personal academic ties to the university. A VCU alumnus, he maintains connections with faculty and contributes occasional guest lectures. This marked his second time presenting to the student chapter.
20 students attended the 2-hour presentation, which explored lessons learned from large nuclear construction projects, timelines and module assembly practices, and how next-generation designs are evolving. Rodi discussed the BWRX-300 SMR design, comparisons with current Gen III+ reactors such as Westinghouse’s AP1000, and other advanced concepts, including Terrapower’s Natrium and X-energy’s Xe-100. He also shared updates on active BWRX-300 projects, including deployments in North America and Europe.
Following the talk, the engagement continued with an hour of small-group mentoring and discussion with faculty about collaboration between industry & academia. Students asked questions about entering the nuclear workforce, leading to practical guidance on interviewing, building strong resumes/cover letters, preparing professional profiles, and understanding the differences between engineering, operations, and maintenance roles across nuclear projects. Rodi also highlighted the importance of the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before graduating, graduate school pathways, and the value of volunteering, including professional societies, in building connections.
NAYGN Continental congratulates the GE Vernova chapter, rewarding it with 100 USD for sharing this impactful outreach effort to strengthen the ties between industry and the next generation of nuclear leaders.

Congratulations to the two winners! For more information on the Pillars of Engagement Contest, see here: Pillars of Engagement Contest – NAYGN