Overview:

During this class students will be introduced to the unit. The real world problem students will address, "Should we use nuclear technologies? What are nuclear issues in our society?" is introduced. Students will reflect upon their thoughts and conceptions about nuclear technologies and nuclear societal issues. A slideshow will help them to expand their thinking on the topic and a free write will give them the chance for personal expression on the topic. Small group discussions will allow students to explore what things they want to learn in order to make informed decisions about these topics. Students will begin learn about various types of natural radioactive decay. This includes alpha, beta, and gamma decay. This lesson includes a brief lecture on the types of decay followed by student conceptualization of the types of decay through drawings.

Class Length:

50 minutes

Materials:

• PowerPoint Slideshow loaded on a computer
• Method of Projecting PowerPoint Slideshow
• Whiteboard, overhead, or chalkboard for lecture notes
• Drawing Paper
• Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils

Probing Questions:

• What do you think of when someone says nuclear?
• What are some current issues that involve nuclear technology or radioactive decay?
• Do you feel prepared to make societal decisions on these issues?
• What happens during radioactive decay?…….on an atomic level?
• How can we represent this?

Procedure:

1. Ask students to think about what ideas come to mind when someone says "NUCLEAR"
2. A PowerPoint slideshow is made without any narration or comment.
3. Students take five minutes to free write on NUCLEAR and the slideshow experience.
4. The teacher presents the questions: "Should we use nuclear technologies? What are nuclear issues in our society?
5. In small groups students decide what information and understandings they need to obtain in order to make informed decisions on these issues.
6. A short share out session combines the ideas of the small groups.
7. A short lecture is used to present students with information on alpha, beta, and gamma decay. For each type of decay the following information should be included:
   1. Name of decay
   2. Greek symbol
   3. Source of ejected particle
   4. Charge of particle
   5. Mass of ejected particle
   6. Make-up of ejected particle
   7. Symbol used in nuclear equations
8. Allow students to draw representations of each type of decay.

Student Assessment:

• Student free write.
• Small group discussions allow students to brainstorm what they feel they need to know in order to make informed decisions.
• Students inform teacher of what they need to know.
• Students answer questions from teacher in small group and whole class setting.
• Students produce visual representations of nuclear decay.

Student and Teacher Handouts / Materials:

• Example of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay Notes
• Nuclear Equations practice

RADIOACTIVE DECAY