Paul Worsey
Encyclopedia
Paul N. Worsey is a tenured professor and well known mining and explosives expert and researcher at the Missouri University of Science and Technology
(formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla). Outside of teaching, research, and writing in his field, he is noted for creating and hosting the University's annual "Explosives Camp" for 16 and 17 year old aspiring mining engineers. Since 2008, Worsey has been one of the host experts on the Discovery Channel
documentary series, The Detonators.
in 1977. The following year he completed his Masters of Science degree in Rock Mechanics Excavation Engineering. In 1981 he obtained his Ph.D.
in the field of Mining (Explosives) Engineering. His dissertation was entitled: Geotechnical factors affecting the application of pre-split blasting to rock slopes.
In the past 10 years his research has focused on the demilitarization of explosive ordnance.
He is the holder of several patents, including US Patent No. 4,754,705 for a blast control plug. "The device is designed to help keep explosive energy in blastholes when they detonate and thus more efficiently break rock and reduce environmental problems such as flyrock, airblast and ground vibrations."
He is also a certified British Parachute Association Instructor having trained more than 1,000 students at the Sunderland Parachute Center.
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Camp curriculum includes:
The Missouri University of Science and Technology is the only institution in the United States to offer a specific "explosives minor" as part of its Explosives Engineering Program.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Missouri University of Science and Technology is an institution of higher learning located in Rolla, Missouri, United States, and part of the University of Missouri System...
(formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla). Outside of teaching, research, and writing in his field, he is noted for creating and hosting the University's annual "Explosives Camp" for 16 and 17 year old aspiring mining engineers. Since 2008, Worsey has been one of the host experts on the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
documentary series, The Detonators.
Background
Worsey obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of BristolUniversity of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
in 1977. The following year he completed his Masters of Science degree in Rock Mechanics Excavation Engineering. In 1981 he obtained his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in the field of Mining (Explosives) Engineering. His dissertation was entitled: Geotechnical factors affecting the application of pre-split blasting to rock slopes.
In the past 10 years his research has focused on the demilitarization of explosive ordnance.
He is the holder of several patents, including US Patent No. 4,754,705 for a blast control plug. "The device is designed to help keep explosive energy in blastholes when they detonate and thus more efficiently break rock and reduce environmental problems such as flyrock, airblast and ground vibrations."
He is also a certified British Parachute Association Instructor having trained more than 1,000 students at the Sunderland Parachute Center.
Explosives camp
The camp was first held in 2004 and hosted 20 students for the one week course. By 2008 the camp was hosting 60 campers in three one week residential camp sessions. It is currently restricted to students who can prove American citizenship, are at least 16 years of age or older, and considered "up and coming students" in their high school classes. The camp has been widely reported upon in such media outlets as the New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), and the International Herald TribuneInternational Herald Tribune
The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
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Camp curriculum includes:
In addition to blowing up chickens, the campers feel concussions from underground explosions, help generate a 150-foot water spout, experience demolition demonstrations and fashion fireworks displays. ... Many of the activities take place at Missouri S&T’s Experimental Mine. Each day, the campers participate in classroom instruction and safety training before initiating an explosion.
Teaching
Worsey teaches a number of different courses at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, including the following courses which he personally developed:- Demolition of Buildings and Structures
- Principles of Explosives Engineering
- Commercial Pyrotechnics Operations
- Blasting Design and Technology
- Environmental Controls for Blasting
- Instrumentation for Explosives and Blasting
The Missouri University of Science and Technology is the only institution in the United States to offer a specific "explosives minor" as part of its Explosives Engineering Program.