When I found out we were going to the MIT Nuclear Reactor site I was excited. As a kid my dad worked near the area and I remember walking by and asking about it. Also, I am a strong advocate of field trips. When we entered the building connected to the reactor section there was a front desk and friendly staff waiting for us. I was surprised to find that the staff was somewhat younger and laid back to an extent because i was expecting more of a formal setting. Before moving to the reactor tour we had a quick debrief powerpoint given by a staff member. In his presentation he fortified concepts we discussed in class for example the difference of fission and fusion. Also, he went over the basics of the process of their reactor. One of the topics he discussed that I found particularly interesting was when he talked about the efficiency of their reactor in comparison with the average main producers.
To enter the reactor section of the site there was a short and easy process. We were each given a small device that indicates the level of radiation. The concept behind this is to make sure we are unexposed to radiation throughout our time there. After receiving the device we moved into a new area that is secured by a large metal door/gate. In this area all who enter need to be staff or have authorization of access. Behind the gate their is an area of operation for employees and it leads to the access point of nuclear reactor. The best way I can describe the entry point of the reactor would be like that of the entry to a spaceship/rocket. There is a big metal door, a very small box shaped area that connects to another large metal door, and the reactor is on the other side of it. You enter one side, close both doors to make sure there is no contamination outbreak, and then you enter the reactor area itself. The reactor section is surrounded by thick walls. They keep the inside at a slightly lower air pressure level so that air seeps inward. This effect was initiated for safety because radiation will not leak out.
The reactor was slightly smaller then I had guessed because the outer dome surrounding it is so large. Inside there are two separate areas that were used for medical research. The concentration of the radiation produced from the reactor can act as a medical option for those with cancer. While it can be effective, it is also dangerous and in comparison with other modern options it doesn’t really get much use. After this we went to the control room. In the control room all the levels and information from the reactor are displayed. The duty of the control room operator is to supervise that everything is running normally. In the rare case that there is an issue they have an automatic shut down of the reactor to avoid leakage. I would like to note that one of the employees notified us that if they tried to create the establishment as it is now that it would most likely not be allowed. The reason for this is that some would consider it too dangerous for a major city. When the tour concluded we went through the same process to exit with a slight variation. On the way towards the gate to leave there is a special machine that reads your body for radiation. It checks the exposed areas, being the hands and feet (shoes), and indicates green for good red for bad. If you get red, which is rare, it does not mean that it is a really big deal. In most instances they would apply tape to the area and it comes off easily. Afterwards we exit to the front desk area and the check the small device they gave us prior. To have it indicate a radiation level that is above normal would be highly unlikely at this point.
In conclusion I found the field trip to be a good time. It was nice to see something tangible that revolves around what were are learning. 
References:
– http://web.mit.edu/nrl/www/
– http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2011/07/mits-little-nuclear-reactor/
– http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/mits-nuclear-reactor/