Overview and History
CNTA is a grassroots organization of individuals, families, and businesses dedicated to raising the level of awareness of nuclear technology initiatives. CNTA has a variety of scholarships and awards. Some date to the 1990’s, some were introduced in the late 2010’s. All focus on highlighting achievements and promoting STEM nuclear education.
Over 90 scholarships totaling over $150,000 to local students and teachers.
The Distinguished Scientist Award honors outstanding achievements in physical, biological, ecological, environmental, mathematical or engineering sciences that have been accomplished in support of nuclear technologies such as nuclear medicine, food irradiation, nuclear power, U.S. weapons programs, environmental remediation, and radioecology. Past winners of this award are listed in the archives.
The goal of this award is to honor a person who has made significant contributions in the advancement of nuclear. The award has a very broad reach with all-inclusive consideration outside of traditional scholarly, academic nuclear science and technology, to include non-technical fields.
Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness sponsors an Annual High School Essay Contest. Open to high school juniors and seniors in South Carolina, students from Burke, Columbia, or Richmond counties in Georgia, homeschool students, and children of CNTA members regardless of school district.
Win up to $1,000
The goal of the CNTA Essay Contest is to increase high school student awareness of nuclear technologies and their impact on society. Successful essays require students to integrate science, technology, social understanding, and language arts. Researching a technical topic, relating the information to society, and effectively communicating the information in writing are great skills for any high school student to practice and demonstrate.
The grants program is an opportunity to support local teachers in their classrooms and give them the resources to develop projects or enhance their student’s experience with science and technology.
The grants can be used to fund a project in any area of science or technology; however, proposals that promote an increased understanding of atomic and nuclear fundamentals, radiation and nuclear materials safety, and applications of nuclear technology will be given extra consideration.
Teachers from schools in the South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, and Orangeburg; and in the Georgia counties of Columbia, Richmond, and Burke are invited to submit proposals. Teachers who are members of CNTA are also eligible to apply regardless of school location.
This scholarship is a joint project of CNTA and Savannah River Mission Completion. Maher, WSRC Vice President and General Manager for Strategic Mission Development at SRS, passed away in 2002 after a 48-year career at the Site. A visionary with a broad view of the Site’s potential, Maher helped shape SRS. The annual scholarship was established in Maher’s memory to support students pursuing science and engineering degrees in preparation for careers in the nuclear field.
This award seeks to encourage students to pursue a career in nuclear technology. Provided to the Aiken Technical College Foundation, CNTA partners with them to recognize outstanding students in their nuclear programs.