Developing and Enhancing Access to Nuclear Physics Research for Community College Students

The Pathways to Improved Representation in Advanced NucleAr science (PIRANA) program at Skyline College, San Bruno, CA, is in its second and final year, building on the foundation established by a previous two-year project funded under the US Department of Energy Office of Science "Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Nuclear Physics" pilot program. Skyline College is the only community college part of the nEXO collaboration, giving students access to opportunities through an international community of physicists. The program has successfully supported ten trainees, who have taken part in hands-on research projects for nEXO while providing them with mentorship and opportunities for professional development in nuclear physics. Trainees acquired technical skills needed for their projects by participating in workshops, covering topics such as programming, soldering, electronics manufacturing, or 3D design. Collaboration with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory was instrumental in enriching the trainees' experiences by providing projects, mentorship, and support. Outreach has also been an important mission of the group, at the college and beyond, with trainees presenting their research at national conferences. As the program enters its final summer, it continues to empower students to pursue careers in nuclear physics research and related fields. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (Office of Nuclear Physics), under Award Number DE-SC0024677.