Since 2009, students in Dr. Steven Biegalski's class have not only been learning the intricacies of nuclear engineering, but also have been exploring the ins and outs of filmmaking. Biegalski, a mechanical engineering professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering, is the mastermind behind the Texas Atomic Film Festival (TAFF) — an annual, end-of-semester event that showcases his student's short films on various topics in nuclear energy.
The project teaches students the importance of advocacy and good communication skills, as well as helps alleviate the pressure of final exams and term papers, Biegalski said. And with help from the Cockrell School's Faculty Innovation Center, Biegalski's students have access to state-of-the-art cameras, computers and video editing software.
"Our goal with TAFF is to provide engineering students with the tools to communicate difficult, technical concepts in a simplified manner that is engaging to broad audiences," Biegalski said. "I encourage my students to think outside of the box and to use both sides of their brain."
The final products consist of three to five minute short films that are shown to the class and evaluated by a panel of judges. View the videos online. During production, students are exposed to the legal and copyright issues associated with filmmaking, along with consultation and collaboration with group members. The films are then awarded titles of best film, content, editing and audience favorite.
"TAFF was without a doubt the most fun project I've been assigned in college," said Reynaldo Gomez, a physics major at the university. "While studying science and engineering, areas such as communication and social sciences are sometimes swept under the rug."
Many of this year's films shed light on the public's perception of nuclear energy. Film titles such as "The Influence of Nuclear Events on the Public's Perception of Nuclear Science," "From War to Peace: Non-Proliferation 101" and "How Dangerous is a Low Dose" demonstrate the themed approach students took in presenting their subjects, dispelling fears that may have been heightened after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster.
"TAFF has really allowed me to see and appreciate students through a different light," Biegalski said. "I've seen students with a more creative leaning come out of their shell and really shine through this experience."
In the future, Biegalski hopes that TAFF and programs like it will expand to other courses within UT and to other universities. So far, the program has received recognition from the University of Tennessee, the University of Washington and the American Nuclear Society, which has featured student work on their blog.
"For the past few decades, being a nuclear engineer meant operating the machinery in a power plant," Biegalski said. "Increased acceptance of nuclear energy means now students are entering a world where they are actually building and testing innovative technologies, which is far more exciting."
Some of Biegalski's students have even mentioned that they have received job offers because of the skills they acquired during the TAFF process.
"Not only was TAFF a rewarding way to fill this gap, but it also added some color to my resume and gave me a competitive edge," Gomez said.
