The Wilmington Area Local Section of the American Nuclear Society has officially been selected as the national host for Nuclear Science Week 2026. During the week of October 19-23, educators, students, civic leaders, employers, and members of the Wilmington, N.C., community will gather to learn more about the nuclear world.

For its part, the Wilmington Area Local Section of ANS will bring a wide range of expertise across many nuclear fields. The members' technical and managerial experience in the industry will provide deeper context to a varied slate of events, which will shine a spotlight on energy, medicine, national security, and technology.

Local sections: The Wilmington Area Local Section is one of 37 ANS Local Sections. Its members reside in both North and South Carolina, and its main objectives are "the advancement of science and engineering related to the atomic nucleus, and of allied sciences and arts, and the integration of the scientific disciplines constituting nuclear science and technology."

Like all ANS Local Sections, it serves as a bedrock for the Society's outreach and engagement efforts, and as a hub for members of the nuclear community to engage with each other and the broader public. This role makes it ideal for hosting an outreach event like NSW 2026.

North Carolina is home to three nuclear power plants and several important nuclear-related companies, including Duke Energy, which maintains a fleet of 11 power reactors across the Carolinas.

"By leveraging powerful partnerships with industry leaders such as Duke Energy, GE Vernova, and Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Wilmington is uniquely positioned to showcase our industry's achievement," said Jennifer Hayden, president and CEO of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, a sponsor of NSW 2026.

To learn more about Nuclear Science Week and this year's celebration, click here.