Earlier this semester, students at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville were treated to a sight that’s hard to miss: a giant bumble bee buzzing around Pedestrian Walkway, handing out pro-nuclear flyers and telling students, “Don’t bee-lieve everything you hear about nuclear energy!”
The cheerful creature was, of course, a CFACT volunteer in costume—part of Emma Arns’ creative and wildly successful nuclear-energy outreach event, hosted in partnership with TPUSA. Using humor, bright visuals, and approachable messaging, Emma’s team helped counter widespread misconceptions about nuclear power while drawing in students who otherwise might have walked past a traditional information table.
Rather than simply standing near the booth, the bumble bee became the event’s ambassador—roaming the busy walkway, waving to students, posing for selfies, and distributing CFACT materials. As students approached, volunteers used the moment to steer conversation toward the real environmental benefits of nuclear energy, referencing the facts highlighted on the flyer you provided.
Students learned that:
- Nuclear energy produces zero harmful emissions
- It requires remarkably little land, especially compared to sprawling wind and solar installations,
- A tiny amount of uranium can power an individual’s lifetime electricity use,
- And the industry supports hundreds of thousands of high-skilled American jobs.
These points—colorfully displayed on Emma’s flyer—helped students see past the fear-based narratives they typically hear in classrooms or on social media.
The strategy worked flawlessly. The combination of the bee mascot and the myth-busting nuclear facts made the booth one of the most energetic stops on Pedestrian Walkway that day. Students eagerly snapped photos, grabbed literature, and stayed for genuine conversation.
By the end of the event:
- Over 30 students signed up to learn more about CFACT and future events
- All CFACT stickers were completely handed out, including the highly sought-after “Don’t Tread on Meat” design
- And dozens of passersby walked away with accurate information about nuclear energy—many for the first time
With six volunteers rotating throughout the day, the team kept engagement strong while ensuring that every student who stopped by heard a confident, pro-human, pro-innovation perspective on energy policy. The event served as a model example of CFACT’s Free Market Energy Campaign, showing how creativity and fact-based messaging can reach students overwhelmed by alarmist environmental rhetoric.
Although the event took place earlier in the semester, its impact has continued to ripple through campus. Emma’s work ensured that nuclear energy—not wind turbines or unreliable solar fields—claimed the spotlight as the most environmentally responsible path forward.
Thanks to the efforts of Emma and her dedicated team, UTK students now better understand that when it comes to America’s energy future, the science is clear: nuclear is the safest, cleanest, and most efficient option—and no amount of anti-nuclear fear-mongering should “bee”-clouding that truth.
