Traveling Back to the 1960’s at Arco’s EBR-1 Atomic Museum

If you read our blog on what we did and where we stayed in Appealing to Our Science-Loving Hearts in Arco, Idaho, you know we found several interesting places in Arco. About 20 minutes out of town, we found the EBR-1 Atomic Museum, where you can get a hands on, in depth look at a nuclear reactor, and one that powered an entire city.

This museum, free to the public and with RV parking available, is miles from anything, and is part of the Idaho National Laboratory where lots of testing and science happens, to include building nuclear submarines, like the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine that we had previously toured in Connecticut at the Submarine Force Museum just outside of Mystic (definitely worth adding to your travel plans if you’re in the area!)

But back to the EBR-1! When we arrived, we were greeted by two things–the sensory overload of being transported back to the 1960’s (everything was just as it was when in operation) and the volunteers working that day. Kayla and Liem were on hand to let us know that we were welcome to explore and read and learn at our own pace, or a 45- minute guided tour was available for free.

We capitalized on the guided tour, excited to hear the stories that always go along with the guides. Liem started us off by going over the basics of how nuclear science works, the elements involved and showed us the area map and let us play with the Van de Graaff generator (you know, the static electricity ball that zaps you, or lets you zap others).

We then moved on, learning about each phase of the project, how they kept everything safe and secured, and how they eventually went on to turn on power to the city of Arco using nuclear power, however briefly, before being forced to shut down and stay connected to the grid. But they did continue to do research and develop nuclear advances for the US Navy. The unique wind patterns, desert climate, and minimal population made it a great place, even if it did fuel rumors from the locals of just how submarines got from Idaho to the ocean.

Our soon-to-be high-schooler (eek!) got a glimpse of real-world information using the periodic table, uranium, plutonium and radioactivity–and it was cool to be able to push buttons and see everything preserved. We even got a chance to slip our hands into gloves and attempt to do tasks inside of a protected box (in our case, stacking blocks). Turns out, our little scientist was pretty good at it–maybe it’ll be in his future?

This location is completely safe, with concrete-filled pipes, thick walls and leaded glass as barriers from anything that could be a concern. It was incredible to learn how cost-effective and safe this power truly was, with the only losses of life (3, if I remember correctly) as a direct result of their human error.

While the reactor only powered the city for a few minutes before the main power company shut it down, it was a huge leap forward in nuclear technology and how it can be used in every day life. The reactor continued to operate for many years, even though it is shut down now.

The museum is only 20 minutes out of Arco, has RV parking and picnic tables, and is completely free, with NPS Passport stamps, postcards and stickers also available for free. You can check out the EBR-1 Atomic Museum website for more info to plan your visit and download the app.

If I were still in the classroom, I would be working it into lessons in my classroom via their virtual tour. The information for signing up for an online guided tour is right on their website, just send them an email. Students of all ages and a variety of subjects could find connections to this information and then carry it into the classroom through a variety of STEM/STEAM lessons!

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