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Beyond the grid
Craig Piercycpiercy@ans.org
In this month’s issue of Nuclear News, readers will find coverage of the “other” areas where nuclear technology is pushing into new frontiers. From marine nuclear propulsion to nuclear systems that enable planetary exploration, the articles in these pages are a reminder that the influence of applied nuclear science extends far beyond the electric grid.
When many people hear the phrase “civil nuclear technology,” they still think first of power plants—an understandable association. Nuclear power has been one of the most reliable sources of large-scale electricity for decades. It is our storefront.
But nuclear technology has always been bigger than electrons.
Spark a reaction in your classroom with nuclear science!
Engage your students in the fascinating world of nuclear science with standards-aligned resources that connect them to applications of nuclear processes. Students will explore the science behind creating energy with fission and fusion. They'll learn how to measure and use radiation--something they can't even see. And they'll apply what they learn to address real-world challenges.
Video | 5 Minutes
Educators can watch this short video to learn the best ways to implement the lesson plan resources in the classroom.
Candace Davison, assistant director of education and outreach at Penn State's Breazeale Nuclear Reactor, takes you from acquiring Geiger counters and radioactive sources to setting up the lab in your classroom.
Educator Lesson Plan | 135-180 Minutes
Students will explore the science behind nuclear power and apply what they learn to examine examples of the uses of nuclear power in electricity generation, space probes, and nuclear submarines.
Download Digital Lesson in English
Download Digital Lesson in Spanish
Download Educator Guide
Through a series of investigations, students will explore the science behind measuring radiation and use what they learn to examine real-world uses of measuring radiation in detecting smoke in their homes, determining the properties of high-mass radioactive nuclei, and scanning shipments at seaports and airports.
Types of Energy
How does the energy stored in an atom's nucleus transform into the electricity that powers our lives?
Students will create a model of a nuclear power plant and explain the energy transformation in different parts of a nuclear reactor.
DOWNLOAD STEM PROJECT STARTER
Our Solar System and Beyond
How could nuclear fusion and fission change the way we power our lives?
Students will research the feasibility, advantages, and challenges of compact fission and fusion reactors as a source of power on Earth. They will support their work using data and calculations.
Download STEM Project Starter
Cells
How can a pill that uses radiation help doctors diagnose and treat diseases?
Students will research the uses of radiation in medicine and explore applications of radiation treatment. They will suggest how a radiopharmaceutical could be improved and propose an investigation to validate their design.
