The Sustainability Energy and Technology class ventured to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology nuclear reactor. We had a presentation first about the ways in which MIT uses their nuclear reactor, we learned that the reactor is not used for energy but is instead used for science. The reactor can be used for MIT students for their experiments. The reactor is supervised by students, who watch the sensors. The students are trained intensively all summer and need to pass a serious exam that ensures they know the placement and function of all of the reactors safety features. The reactor is covered in three feet of concrete, and to enter you need to pass a series of airlock steel doors. When exiting the reactor you need to pass through a security desk, have a badge and even a retina scanner (which is real and not science fiction) to pass through. We were able to see some different sensors, and even watched the reaction of a Radioactive Red fiesta ware tea cup caused because of the radioactivity in the paint. The MIT trip was interesting and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be near a nuclear reactor. The only thing I did dislike was the lengthy lecture, if they are able to lessen the length of that lecture I believe it would be a worthwhile trip for all Suffolk Students.