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Most area residents have a positive view of Argonne-East and are eager for more information about it, according to a new study, but some of them think the laboratory's mission includes secret weapons research.
The study, conducted by a team of Northwestern University graduate students, also found that nearby residents had a high regard for the U.S. Department of Energy and its importance to the nation.
The team conducted a mail survey of residents in Woodridge, Darien, Bolingbrook and Lemont, receiving more than 400 responses.
"We hoped to find out whether nearby residents had heard of Argonne and DOE, if they were aware of the kinds of work they do, and whether their perceptions were positive or negative," said survey team member Jennie MacAnaspie. "This was a small study but we received some good data."
Argonne and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne Area Office funded the study to help determine the effectiveness of current communication programs and to help guide future efforts.
Nearly all of the respondents had heard of Argonne, and could identify at least some of the types of research conducted at the laboratory. About a quarter of the respondents, however, thought Argonne conducted weapons research. Though a large majority identified Argonne's sources of funding as coming from DOE, universities or private corporations, almost half thought the U.S. Department of Defense funded at least some of the laboratory's research.
"Word-of-mouth is a major source of information about Argonne, especially among those under 40 years old," said survey team member Kathy Watson. "It's not surprising that myths persist about weapons research and the white deer that roam the grounds."
More than 80 percent thought some or most of Argonne's work was secret -- in reality less than one percent of Argonne's work is classified (although some work done in partnership with private industry is proprietary).
Eighty-seven percent of the respondents consider Argonne safe, or very safe, to have as a neighbor. Eighty-six percent thought the laboratory does a good job of protecting the environment. Similarly large percentages were interested in receiving more information about the laboratory.
"The results speak well for Argonne's communications program," said survey team member Tamara Marks. "The laboratory should make an effort to continue to reach out to area residents, especially in the current climate."
Argonne-East's continuing outreach efforts will benefit from the community input provided by the survey, said Cindy Wilkinson (OPA), Argonne Community Relations Manager.
"The attitudes and opinions of our neighbors are very important to us," Wilkinson said. "The results of this survey will provide valuable input for planning future programs and activities that will enhance Argonne's reputation as a good neighbor."
-- Dave Jacqué
The mail survey included a space for comments. The following is representative of the dozens of comments received.
Argonne is very important to the
strength of our economy and future growth. But most people see it as some lab hidden in the woods.
It is a very important facility. Publicize it!
I would like to see an open house once
a year at Argonne.
My daughter attended a women in
science program for high school students. She greatly enjoyed the program and is seriously
considering a career in science/research.
Is Argonne responsible for the
helicopters that fly at night?
I have no idea what is going on there.
I know safety protocols are in place, but ... I have made jokes about Argonne glowing the dark.
This survey has sparked my curiosity,
and I think it would be interesting to learn more about Argonne and the Energy Department.
I would like to know why we are having
to pay these ridiculous prices at the gas pump. I know there's a better way other than the U.S.
messing around with our prestigious wildlife preserve.
I hope Argonne gets funds for the
study of nanotechnology. Argonne is not too far away from me. I have no problems with that.
Given the age of the facility and the
type of research done there in the past (nuclear) and the DOE's record, it is certain that the site
is contaminated and will one day become another Superfund site that endangers the environment and
the neighboring communities.
When my nephew was in elementary
school, we went to an open house for families. Very cool. Kids need exciting science. It hit the
mark!
I've heard that some very sensitive
deer were brought from Liberia in order to test the pollution around Argonne. Did they survive?
The winter Olympics are getting a boost this year from two Argonne-West employees, Doug Pace (ENT) and NoraLee Petersen (ENT).
Pace has been selected to be on the ski patrol for Nordic events, which include cross-country skiing and the biathlon (target shooting and cross-country skiing). Pace has served for several years on the Idaho Falls Nordic Ski Patrol, which has six of its members going to the competition.
"We were a natural place for the organizing committee to find patrollers," Pace said. "Everybody out here skis."
Pace will provide extra security and support to the athletes in case they need assistance.
"We'll be at various places around the course," Pace said. "If a skier needs a ride to medical, we will have toboggans and snow sleds to transport them."
If Pace will make the games a little safer, Petersen will make them a little more interesting. Her horses will be competing for cash prizes in the first-ever Olympic chariot racing exhibition, which will be held in nearby Ogden, Utah.
Though the sport's name might recall a scene from the move "Ben Hur," these races have teams of two horses pulling a modest carriage that gives one person just enough room to stand.
"Racing evolved to give horses -- and their owners -- a way to stay occupied in the cold weather, when there was little to do on a farm," Petersen explained. "Quarterhorse colts are still broken in on the sport, while they are still too small to carry people on their backs."
Petersen and her husband Martin, who will drive the chariot, hope racing will be made into a full-blown competition for medals in the future.
"For now, though," she said, "we're happy to at least be competing for a little money."
-- Chad Boutin
High school girls from more than 60 schools throughout Chicago and its collar counties will explore career options in scientific and technical fields at the 15th annual "Science Careers in Search of Women" conference at Argonne-East Friday, March 8.
This year's keynote speaker will be Monica C. Regalbuto (CMT), who will speak on "Science, Beyond Lab Coats and Nerdy Glasses." Her address will begin at 10 a.m.
Nearly 400 students are expected to attend panel discussions on "Planning a Career" and "College and Beyond." These panels will feature Argonne scientific and technical employees and and visitors from other organizations, including Northern Illinois University and Morehouse College. Meanwhile, teachers can attend a discussion on the science of counter-terrorism, particularly urban bioterrorism.
At lunchtime, students will be grouped by their area of interest and have lunch with a woman scientist, mathematician, lawyer or other professional in that field, providing an opportunity for more informal, one-on-one conversation.
In the afternoon, students will have a choice of 15 different laboratory tours covering biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, mechanical engineering, physics and applied science at the Advanced Photon Source. Students will also have an opportunity to view career booth exhibits and ask questions.
The conference is sponsored by Argonne, Argonne's Office of the Director and Women in Science and Technology.
Women scientists wanted
Women scientists are wanted to attend lunch with students during the conference. For information or to sign up, contact Carole Szpunar at ext. 2-6063, by fax at ext. 2-9800 or szpunar@anl.gov.
An interactive program for family caregivers will be held at Argonne-East Wednesday, March 6.
The program will give employees an opportunity to talk about their own family caregiving issues, and receive personal attention and guidance from eldercare expert Joy Loverde. The discussion will include balancing life and work responsibilities and handling the emotions of family caregiving.
Loverde is author of the best-seller "The Complete Eldercare Planner."
The program will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited; to register, and for location information, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989 or fperri@anl.gov.
A demonstration -- and tasting -- of healthy cooking will be held at the Argonne Guest House Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Argonne Guest House Executive Chef Chris Kaminsky's menu will include grilled breast of chicken with peaches and red zinfandel sauce, mushroom-coated cod with pasta, southwestern Caesar salad and orange Bavarian. Those who attend can taste the results.
Class size is limited. Cost is $25 per person, cash, check or charge, due at registration. Register in person at the Guest House, or mail checks to Kathy, Building 460.
Registration for the Feb. 28 class is due by Friday, Feb. 22. Registration for the March 1 class is due by Monday, Feb. 25.
For more information, call ext. 5-2006.
Registration for College of DuPage Spring classes will be offered at Argonne-East Friday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
College representatives will be available at Human Resources in Building 201, Room 1B-04, to register students for Spring 2002 classes.
Employees must bring completed and approved Educational Assistance Forms (ANL-89) and approved College of DuPage Third-Party Billing Forms. Both of these forms are needed to register.
For more information, call Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410.
An estate planning seminar will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, from noon to 1 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 402 Auditorium.
Mark Perkins, of Perkins & Zayed, P.C., will discuss how proper estate planning can help avoid probate and minimize estate taxes. He will cover topics such as wills, living trusts, power of attorney, joint tenancy and living and death probate.
The seminar is sponsored by Human Resources. For more information, call Julie Gotchie (HR) at ext. 2-2992.
Reubin W. Allen III (OSS) retired Jan. 25 with 39 years of service.
James Boyle (TD) retired Jan. 31 with 34 years of service.
David B. Braithwaite (ENT) retired Jan. 4 with 19 years of service.
Richard R. Chasman (PHY) retired Jan. 7 with 43 years of service.
Richard H. Cooke (CMT-ESH) retired Jan. 31 with 16 years of service.
James E. Emerson (ET) retired Jan. 31 with 40 years of service.
Robert J. Ferry (AOD) retired Jan. 3 with 16 years of service.
Howard Geyer (TD) retired Jan. 16 with 26 years of service.
William Kettman (ET) retired Jan. 31 with 44 years of service.
Ralph Kuechler (PFS-CU) retired Jan. 16 with 40 years of service.
Robert L. Kustom (ASD) retired Jan. 16 with 43 years of service.
Georgiana Larson (OCF) retired Jan. 15 with 34 years of service.
Richard H. Lee (ET) retired Jan. 31 with 40 years of service.
William McCreaven (PFS-CU) retired Jan. 11 with 34 years of service.
Thomas M. Mulcahy (ET) retired Jan. 31 with 29 years of service.
Zoltan Nagy (MSD) retired Jan. 31 with 25 years of service.
David Otto Pushis (ET) retired Jan. 31 with 38 years of service.
Diane Redman (IPD) retired Jan. 3 with 23 years of service.
Barbara Salbego (IPD) retired Jan. 31 with 23 years of service.