September 28, 2017
Seventy-five years ago, scientists at the University of Chicago achieved the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, ushering in the Atomic Age. Recognizing the historic significance of this development, the University is organizing a series of public events to commemorate, discuss, and debate the complex legacy of what transpired on December 2, 1942. The events will explore questions around the experiment’s long-term impact on nuclear physics and engineering, subsequent applications in medicine and nuclear energy, and the difficult issue of the experiment’s integral role in the first development of nuclear fission weapons.
As a part of this commemoration, Campus and Student Life invites UChicago students, both graduate and undergraduate, to submit proposals for programs, events, or exhibits that recognize and explore the complex legacy of the Chicago Pile-1 experiment, including its cultural, scientific, and ethical dimensions. We are specifically looking for proposals that engage a wide audience across the University and can be completed by December 2, 2017. Please submit a proposal with a budget by October 13. The online application can be found here: https://blueprint.uchicago.edu/submitter/form/start/141665.
Decisions will be announced on October 18. Once these selections have been announced, each mini-grant recipient will be assigned an advisor for assistance. Please contact Mike Hayes at mhayes6@uchicago.edu, with any questions.