Gallery: FSU physics hosts seventh annual Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp

06/16/25

The Florida State University Department of Physics, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, held the seventh annual Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp June 9-13. The camp is intended to provide middle school students with hands-on scientific experience prior to entering high school and potentially opting into STEM courses and extracurriculars.

This year's camp was led by two educators from Leon County Schools; Julie Sear, a science teacher at the School of Arts and Sciences on Thomasville Road, and Jason Clark, a physics and computer science teacher at Chiles High School. Activities included field trips to FSU’s John D. Fox Superconducting Accelerator Laboratory and the nuclear medicine facility at HCA Florida Capital Hospital.

The Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp is supported by the Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training and University-Based Research, or CENTAUR, part of the National Nuclear Security Administration. This is the first year FSU's Tallahassee campus has hosted the camp — several previous camps have been held at FSU Panama City.

Middle school students ask questions during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Carly Nelson.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Students record their scientific findings during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Julie Sear, a science teacher at the School of Arts and Sciences on Thomasville Road, answers questions during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Carly Nelson.
Middle school students complete hands-on activities during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Carly Nelson.
Middle school students complete hands-on activities during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Julie Sear, a science teacher at the School of Arts and Sciences on Thomasville Road, assists students during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Carly Nelson.
FSU physics professor and associate chair Paul Cottle speaks to students during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Jason Clark, a physics and computer science teacher at Chiles High School, assists students with Geiger counters during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Carly Nelson.
FSU physics professor and associate chair Paul Cottle assists a student during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Students complete hands-on activities during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
FSU radiation safety officer Amy Allen speaks to students during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
FSU radiation safety officer Amy Allen guides students through activities during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Students listen to instructions during an activity at the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Students complete hands-on activities during the Nuclear Medicine and Science Camp. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.
Middle school students use Geiger counters, a device for measuring the presence and frequency of radiation, to study how gamma rays are adsorbed in a variety of materials. Photo by Devin Bittner.