2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Recently, the Department of Energy and other entities have called for increased and strategic attention to workforce development in the nuclear sector. This call is being made in the context of significant advances and innovations in nuclear engineering. For example, as fission microreactors and fusion energy systems come online, the need for technical experts becomes more pressing; these technologies can play a central role in a multi-pronged approach (along with wind, solar, and other renewables) to decarbonize our energy systems.

However, public sentiment on nuclear energy remains a challenge. Inviting students into nuclear engineering, when most high schools mainly introduce nuclear energy by way of its disasters, is a hurdle we have yet to overcome. Certainly, the American Nuclear Society offers K-12 education and is seeking to address this problem, as are some universities that provide nuclear research opportunities to rising high school students. Still, much work remains, given that students still turn more readily to mechanical, electrical, and other engineering disciplines.

At the same time, diversity in the energy engineering workforce has also been an area in need of development and attention. We know that far fewer women and people of color enter engineering professions, though those percentages vary significantly by discipline. Lack of diversity can only hinder our progress, so efforts to increase diversity must be prioritized along with K-12 education education, and innovations aimed at rapid decarbonization.

The Harper Academy launched in the summer of 2024 with the aim of addressing these three pressing needs. The academy was organized by Dr. Jeff Harper of X-Energy in collaboration with a large research university and sponsored by various donors. With an inaugural class of eight rising high school juniors, the 4-week summer academy introduced students to nuclear engineering concepts and practices. Four female and four male students of color took daily courses in physics, math, design, and communication in between tours of engineering labs and guest presentations from experts in the field. Students also learned community-engaged design and hosted a workshop with community members where they collaborated on siting a nuclear energy system in southeast Michigan. They also engaged in speculative design and ideation through a hands-on workshop that invited students to consider nuclear engineers’ deep time obligation and commitment to enduring technological stewardship.

Upon entering the program, none of the students had seriously considered becoming nuclear engineers; at the program’s completion, seven of eight students said they planned to apply to nuclear engineering programs in the year ahead. The Harper Academy will continue in Summer 2025 with the aim of doubling the number of students enrolled. This paper will detail the summer academy curriculum, additional program outcomes, and plans for future development.