Introduction
Alternate means of energy production is becoming an increasingly important topic in politics today. Our president would like to develop several new government committees to research and inform on alternate ways of producing energy. Your team is among the few groups who have been chosen to be considered for the Nuclear Energy and Uses Committee. If selected your team will become the Nuclear Chemistry Advisory board- a highly prestigious and well paid position with the government.
The Task
Your group will prepare a presentation on one nuclear chemistry topic to prove your qualifications for the advisory positions. Because the president also wants a group who is considerate of the educational issues that our country faces, your presentation will be viewed by a focus group of average American high school sophomores. After the presentations, the focus group will be taking a test on Nuclear Chemistry and their grades on your section of the nuclear test will determine your qualification for the position as a Nuclear Chemistry Advisor. You will also be turning in a "research binder" which should include a paper copy of your presentation, a copy of any handouts you plan to give the class, and your bibiliography.
The Process
1. |
Nuclear research groups will be composed of two to three people. Each group will select ONE nuclear research topic, with no two groups researching the same topic. The topics examined by your team are listed below. Fortunately, your group contains one of each of the following experts to assure that the team produces a quality presentation: General Supervisor: This person will be in charge of all email submissions, will be the main organizer for the group (although all team members should speak within the presentation), will put together the overall presentation piece and will help all other team members with their areas of the focus questions. Historian: This person will focus on the historical aspects of the topic and make sure that all historical focus questions are answered completely in the final product. Chemist: This person will focus on the chemical/nuclear aspects of the topic and make sure that all nuclear
chemistry focus questions are answered completely in the final product. Biologist: This person will focus on the biological/ecological aspects of the topic including effects on humans, animals and the environment and make sure all biological/ecological focus questions are answered completely in the final product. Equipment technician: This person is the expert on all nuclear equipment and machinery within your topic and will make sure that all equipment questions are answered completely in the final product. |
2. |
Email Submissions: Sent by General Supervisor (All progress reports include all team members including the general supervisor) When emailing title your presentation with class period and members first names Ex: p3maryjohnbilltim.
**Progress reports and evaluations sent by the general supervisor:
a. Deadline Wednesday, January 3rd by 4:00pm: Give answers to all focus questions. Describe the progress and evaluation of employees.
b. Deadline Tuesday, January 9th by 4:00 pm: Supply 7 high quality multiple choice questions that someone should be able to answer if they know everything from your presentation. Don't forget to include your answer key!!!
c. Deadline Friday, January 12th by 4:00 pm: Report any technological devices (computer(s), presentation projectors, etc...) to insure proper planning. We can not promise to have these items the day you present unless you tell us you need them during this week! please note: Any Powerpoints, or other presentations MUST be put in your teacher's drop box or email no later than January 12th by 4:00pm. If your presentation includes movies you MUST use the drop box!! (When using the drop box or email title your presentation with class period and members first names Ex: p3maryjohnbilltim.) Your "research binder" is due in class the first day of presentations. |
3. |
Everyone in your group will work both individually and collaboratively within the team to develop a classroom presentation for the purpose of instructing high school students on the topic and proving to the president which group is the best candidate for the advisor position. Keep the following criteria in mind when developing your presentation: ***Your research binder should be well organized and visually appealing and should include: a paper copy of your presentation, a copy of any handouts you plan to give the class, and your bibiliography. The "binder" does NOT have to be a 3-ring binder. *** The classroom presentation must be developed using the Power Point format, however, other visual aides used throughout the presentation are also welcome. ***EACH group member must create Power Point slides regarding their focus areas within the selected topic. The general supervisor's focus area slides should consist of introduction and summary slides. The entire presentation will consist of FIFTEEN slides and must be between 10 and 15 minutes in
length. ***Everyone is responsible to demonstrate a thorough understanding of their particular focus questions and to instruct their classmates effectively, being sure to follow the "Principles of Effective Instruction" |
NUCLEAR RESEARCH TOPICS 
Click on the links below for direct access to detailed focus questions regarding each topic:
NUCLEAR RADIATION
1. What is radioactivity, who discovered it, and how was it discovered?
2. Describe alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
3. Which elements on the periodic table are ALWAYS radioactive and why? Are there any that are sometimes radioactive? If so, which ones and why?
4. How does a radioactive smoke detector work?
5. What are the different units of radiation?
6. Describe ways in which people are exposed to radiation.
7. What are the biological effects of radiation at different levels?
8. What does a Geiger counter do and how does it work?
9. What professions utilize Geiger counters?
10. What is meant by half-life? Describe the half-life of different elements. What are some practical applications of this concept?
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
1. How does an ATOMIC bomb work?
2. Where does the energy from an atomic bomb come from?
3. What elements are used in such a weapon?
4. Provide a historical account of the development and detonation of the first atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (hint: Manhattan Project)
5. What were the immediate and long-term effects of #4?
6. What is the difference between a hydrogen bomb and an atomic bomb?
7. Explain the concept of fusion. Which elements are capable of fusion? Describe this process in terms of our sun.
8. Which countries have a nuclear arsenal? What has the relationship been like between these countries?
9. Describe the hypothetical aftermath of a nuclear war.
10. What is a radiological “dirty bomb”? What threat does this pose to the general public?
NUCLEAR POWER
1. Explain how an AMERICAN nuclear power plant works, being sure to highlight the primary components and how they function together to generate power.
2. Explain the concept of fission.
3. What is meant by a chain reaction and critical mass?
4. Which elements are capable of undergoing the process of fission?
5. What is a nuclear submarine and how does it derive energy for power and propulsion? What is a nuclear submarine capable of? Why is it such a dangerous weapon?
6. Breeder reactors are commonly used in Europe. How do breeder reactors differ from American-design reactors in terms of engineering design, fuel type, safety considerations, etc.?
7. What are the controversies surrounding nuclear power?
8. What are some advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power?
9. What happened at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island? What caused the accidents? Describe the aftermath of these catastrophes at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island.
10.Nuclear power plants require large supplies of available fresh water. Why is this water needed for a power plant, and what environmental considerations are associated with the use of this water?
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
1. What is radiation therapy? What conditions does it treat?
2. How much radiation is a person exposed to during treatment?
3. What are some advantages and disadvantages of this kind of therapy?
4. What is chemotherapy? How does it work? How is it different from radiation treatment?
5. What six catagories of chemicals are used in chemotherapy treatment? Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this therapy.
6. Describe how medical X-rays work (not the machine, but the actual X-rays)?
7. Who discovered X-rays and how were they discovered?
8. What do CAT, MRI, and PET stand for? What is the difference between a CAT scan, PET scan, and an MRI?
9. What is the field of radiology? What education is needed to enter this field?
10. Describe the history and future of nuclear medicine.
NUCLEAR WASTE
1. What sources account for the accumulation of nuclear waste? Which ones contribute the most waste?
2. Can nuclear waste be made safe?
3. What are the short-term solutions to the storage of nuclear waste?
4. Are there presently any long-term solutions to the storage of nuclear waste in use?
5. Describe the proposed solution and controversy surrounding Yucca Mountain in Nevada.
6. What are the different levels of nuclear waste and what dangers does each level poses?
7. What elements are involved in #6 and how long will they remain radioactive?
8. What effects does nuclear waste have on the environment? Does it pose an immediate threat to the general public?
9. Which countries produce the most nuclear waste?
10. Discuss what impact the nuclear age has had on civilization. Have the benefits of nuclear technology outweighed the risks associated it?
Principles of Effective Instruction
1. Establish and maintain eye contact with those you intend to instruct.
2. Develop a thorough understanding of your topic before teaching about it.
3. Power Point media should contain vibrant pictures, diagrams, and/or illustrations, in addition to pertinent information represented by text.
4. Do not read your presentation. This indicates a lack of understanding.
5. Speak clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear.
6. Stand in front of the teaching table or lectern.
7. Allow enough time for those under your instruction to write key concepts and information in their notebooks or on any handouts you may provide. Highlight times of instruction
when it is appropriate for them to do so.
8. Provide enough time for any questions students may have about your presentation.
Conclusion
A Nuclear Unit Exam will be created by a government official from the information presented by each nuclear research group. The students will be responsible for their grade on the exam by taking notes, asking questions, etc... and the grade will be part of their classroom test grade. The nuclear chemistry advisory team will be chosen from analysis of the exams. The team who's topic shows the greatest degree of understanding by the students will be appointed as the president's new committee members.
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