b'I could not be more excited about Idas visit to Idaho National Laboratory.My hope is that by reading about Idas INL adventures, children from across our stateMy name is Ida,and Im an expert on the great will find inspiration. For some, it will come from our Electric Vehicle Infrastructurestate of Idaho. One of the best parts of my job is traveling Lab, where INL scientists and engineers work to develop the cars of the future. Otherthe Gem State with my dog, Tank, to explore the most readers may discover a passion for deep space exploration as Ida examines how INLinteresting places and discover why theres no better place helped power the Mars rovers and New Horizons spaceship, which gave the world its first up-close images of the planet Pluto. to live, learn and thrive. Follow us!I have no doubt Idahos young readers will be moved as they encounter the Today, Im visiting Idaho National Laboratory (INL)@INLincredible work being done by our dedicated staff who develop tank armor thatnear Idaho Falls, Americas national nuclear protects our troops. research and development laboratory. WhatThose who love their cellphones and computers may be inspired to someday help theexactly does nuclear mean? What happens in a INL staffers protecting our power grids, dams, and transportation and water systemslaboratory? from hackers. When I was a child, I loved to askAnd, through Idas visit to the EBR-I Atomic Museum, Materials and Fuels Complex,questions. Thats why I became an explorer! Transient Reactor Test Facility, and Advanced Test Reactor, readers will understandSince humanity began, weve been looking for how nuclear energy has played a key role in powering American prosperity, and why its so important to develop the advanced reactors needed to meet growing electricityanswers to the mysteries of our world.Why demands while diminishing the effects of climate change. do stars shine?How does the earth turn?Thats a lot, I know, but as Ida discovered, there is so much happening at INL thatWhats under that rock?The desire to acquire makes an impact on our state and nation. Please go to INL.gov to learn more, or, likeknowledge is called curiosity and it fuels our Ida, come and see us. It gives us great pleasure to show people first hand the incrediblegreatest inventions and progress in science, work performed at Idahos national laboratory. technology, engineering and math. In otherBecause this is a STEM adventure, I would be remiss in not encouraging all of youwords, STEM + curiosity = changing the world.to work hard at math and take all the science classes you can. Who knows, maybe you Over 500 years ago, curiosity inspired eventually will join us at INL working to resolve our nations big energy and security challenges. Galileo to look up at the night sky andEnjoy Idas journey through INL as she learns how were working to change thediscover Mars. Today, you can look up at worlds energy future. I hope you find it as enlightening and entertaining as I did. the same sky while your smartphone shows a video of the Curiosity Rover cruising the red Sincerely, planet.Mark Peters When I learned that the Curiosity Rover was Director, Idaho National Laboratory powered by a space battery assembled at INL, I decided to explore the place where people working in STEM are fuelling the future. 2 3'