First Friday: Weapons, Words, & Warnings—A Nuclear Workshop
1–3pm
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In connection with the exhibition Fallout: Atoms for War & Peace, this interactive workshop will explore the history, science, and ethics of nuclear weapons. Participants will consider key developments of the Atomic Age—from the Manhattan Project to the Cold War—and examine how propaganda has shaped public opinion over time.
Through guided discussions, debates, and visual tools like NUKEMAP and the K=1 Project, attendees will address the ethical implications of nuclear development and the real-world impact of atomic warfare. A science-focused segment will look at how different types of nuclear weapons actually work.
The workshop concludes with a hands-on poster-making session in which participants are invited to apply what they’ve learned by creating persuasive visual messages that reflect the power (and responsibility) of public communication.
Recommended for ages 13+
The K=1 Project at Columbia University fosters informed, science-driven public discourse around nuclear technologies. Through educational programs and accessible resources—ranging from videos and articles to research materials—it empowers non-specialists to critically engage with issues like nuclear weapons and energy, aiming to reduce misleading media narratives and support regulation and disarmament.
Led by (K=1 Project):
Erica Kokor is a rising junior at Columbia University, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Mathematics. A Laidlaw Scholar, she joined the K=1 Project in 2024 and has conducted research on nuclear disarmament and fallout. She represented the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF)at both the Third Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (3MSP) and the 2025 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Prep Committee and is active in Columbia’s Space Initiative and Residence Hall Leadership.
Valeriya Zherebtsova is a rising junior at Columbia University, double majoring in Applied Mathematics and Cognitive Science. Through the K=1 Project, she researched the effects of nuclear-weapons testing in the Pacific and represented NAPF at the United Nations. As an intern at NAPF, she helps organize Sadako Peace Day and participates in the Choose Hope Symposium in Hiroshima.
Kate Jang is a rising junior at Columbia University, studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Her research with the K=1 Project focused on the health impacts of nuclear radiation in the Pacific Islands. Now interning with NAPF, she’s passionate about the intersection of science, health, and policy in nuclear disarmament.
Alanna Belevitch is a rising junior at Columbia Engineering, studying Biomedical Engineering. Through the K=1 Project, she researches radioactive geochemistry in Porites coral from Kiritimati, linking nuclear testing to long-term environmental and health effects. She aims to bridge scientific research with global responsibility and environmental justice.
Accessibility Note: Masks and clear masks are available free of charge at the museum. Assistive listening devices and stools are available. ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is also available upon request. Please contact access@posterhouse.org or (914) 295-2387 to request interpretation services and to address any other accessibility needs. For other event-related questions, please contact info@posterhouse.org.