NUCLEAR ENERGY
FISSION LESSON
Begin by having the students read Fission Vision, from the book The story of science: Einstein adds a new dimension (Hakim, J, 1997, p. 204-219) found on the NSTA website. This historical story of the discovery of nuclear energy reads like a fictional story and will engage a middle school student. It follows the thinking of a scientist as he ponders the possibility of the energy created by nuclear chain reaction, along with his struggle of wanting to share his thoughts but fearing other knowing this could create a bomb. The chapter continues with various discoveries that lead to the ultimate development of nuclear energy.
The Harnessed Atom will serve as the main textbook for the nuclear energy unit. This middle school science curriculum was created by the United States Office of Nuclear Energy. It offers a student guide, as well as a teacher book with lesson plans and activities. It is a great resources that can be accessed at http://energy.gov/ne/services/harnessed-atom.
For the Fission lesson, follow chapter five of The Harnessed Atom.
For student guide, click here.
For teacher guide with lesson plan, activities, and assessment, click here.
For power point presentation, click here.
As stated in the teacher lesson plan, upon completion of the lesson the students should be able to:
- Explain what fission is
- Diagram a nuclear chain reaction
- Explain how uranium is extracted from the Earth and processed for use as nuclear fuel
- Explain why we enrich uranium
- Explain how the difference in weight of uranium-238 and uranium-235 is used for enrichment
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS LESSON
The Harnessed Atom will again serve as the main textbook.
For nuclear waste information, follow chapter 7. For the power point presentation, click here.
Upon completing this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe low-level and high-level radioactive wastes
- Explain why we need to isolate low-level and high-level wastes from the environment
- Explain why half-life is an important consideration in planning for safe disposal of wastes from nuclear power plants
- Explain how we dispose of low-level radioactive waste in the United States
- Explain two ways utilities store spent fuel at nuclear power plants
- Explain the concept of a geologic repository
- Discuss the pros and cons of dismantling a nuclear power plant immediately upon shutdown versus waiting several years before dismantling
- Discuss safety measures used in transporting nuclear materials, including waste
For nuclear concerns information, follow chapter 8. For the power point presentation, click here.
Upon completing this lesson, students will be able to
- Discuss steps taken to ensure safety at nuclear power plants
- Discuss steps taken to ensure security at nuclear power plants
- Explain the role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in ensuring safety
- Explain the security value of a stable energy supply
- Explain the risks and benefits of using nuclear energy to generate electricity
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Name the two types of reactor power plants in operation the U.S. What are the basic differences?
- Is there a nuclear power plant near where you live? What type is it?
- What percentage of our electricity in Illinois is produced in nuclear power plants?
- Research one the recent natural disasters resulting from nuclear power plants. Explain one such incident. What is being done locally to prevent this from happening in your community?
- Has there been any leakage from your local nuclear power plants? What is being done to contain and prevent such leakages?
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND LESSON PLANS
- Nuclear reactors lesson plan by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It also references The Harnessed Atom.
- Green science: Nuclear energy (Palliser, J, 2012, p. 14-18). This concise article addresses nuclear energy – its conversion from uranium, as well as the pros and cons of nuclear power plants. It addresses health effects, costs, environmental impacts, radioactive waste, and nuclear disasters. It also provides great references with useful resources for teachers.
- A simplified worksheet on nuclear energy can be found by clicking here. It includes a simple explanation of how nuclear power plant work, as well as a list of advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants.
- For information and plant profiles of Illinois Nuclear power plant facilities, visit Nuclear Powers Illinois website.