This REU program was funded through NSF PHY-1004848.
McClellan Nuclear Research Center
We got a tour of the McClellan reactor and of the X-ray and neutron-activation analysis facilities. We got to see the glow of the Cherenkov electrons which come from the beta-decay of the fission products in the reactor core.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Professor Cebra led a science-oriented tour to Burney Falls, Subway Cave, and Lassen Park. Subway Cave is a lava tube, created when the lava at the surface of a flow cooled and solidified, leaving molten lava flowing within. Much of the Lassen roads were still closed off because of snow, but the lower-elevation region in the east was accessible. We camped at Butte Lake and climbed up and into the Cinder Cone volcano.
Lake Tahoe
Professor Chiang and her husband kindly hosted the entire REU group at their home in Squaw Valley, just north of Lake Tahoe. The trip began with a visit to the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, followed by time at the beach. On Sunday people did river rafting, hiking, and lounging around.
