Nuclear Engineering/Chemistry Project Lesson Plan Brent Strong Chemistry/Physics Teacher Hauser High School, Hope, IN This project is designed for Chemistry 1 students, grades 10 – 11. Before starting the project, students should have a basic understanding of nuclear chemistry. I will cover basic nuclear chemistry after I begin chemical reactions and balancing. In my nuclear chemistry discussion I will cover topics such as radioactivity, radiation, fission/fusion, and nuclear reactions before starting this project. In this project students will be researching various nuclear chemistry applications and present their findings to the class. Students will form opinions on a particular technology and present their research backed arguments to the class. The Indiana State Standards that this project covers are as follows: SCI.C.2.7 2010: Compare and contrast nuclear reactions with chemical reactions SCI.C.2.8 2010: Describe how fusion and fission processes transform elements present before the reaction into elements present after the reaction SCI.C.2.9 2010: Understand that the radioactive decay process is random for any given atom but that this property leads to a predictable and measurable exponential decay of a sample of radioactive material. Students should be given at least two 90 minute class periods to do research in class as well as one 90 minute class to present. Additionally, I will give a handout highlighting types of nuclear reactions students will finish as an assessment before beginning this project. (See attached handout) Students start the project with the student handout, located at the end of this document. That document starts off with a list of different topics for students to choose and gives the guidelines for the project. Students will research their topic and form an opinion that humans should continue or stop using that specific technology. Students must find information on their topic from the internet as well as from their book (if applicable). There is an approved list of starting resources on the handout, but students are told that they can use other websites except Wikipedia. The only supplies needed for this project are computers (or some device with an internet connection), and any technology the student wishes to use for their presentations (such as PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, or a camera for recording audio/video).

Since this project is based on opinion, students must be careful when forming their arguments. I will guide students to reputable websites to find articles and sites to support as well as contradict the students’ prior knowledge on their chosen topic. Students should use those websites to gather information to show both the pros and cons of using a particular technology; as well as for forming the basis of their decision. For example, if a student chooses a stance against nuclear weapons they must present both the reasons for their stance, as well as opposing views with FACTUAL arguments for disagreement. In addition to proving background information on their technology and researched information to back their opinions, students must give information on the main isotope used in that technology. Students must write the isotope in proper nuclear notation and with the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus given. Students must then use the Chart of the Nuclides to determine the type of radioactive decay the isotope will mostly undergo. The only math required is to write a balanced nuclear reaction for their particular isotope. In addition, students must also research how the technology impacts the community as a whole if it is continued. The grading scale for this project is below the project handout. The rubric is to be filled out by the teacher during project presentations. Before presenting their projects, students must fill out a self and peer evaluation sheet. This sheet is collected before the students present and a grade out of 10 is added to the actual presentation score.

Name: ___________________________________ Period: _________ Date:_________

Nuclear Chemistry Project

Now that you have a basic understanding of nuclear chemistry, you will be completing a group project to utilize your new knowledge. There are many applications of nuclear chemistry both today and in our history. A small list of radiation applications is shown below:

• Medicine  MRI  Stress Tests  X-rays o Cancer Treatment • Reactors o Fission o Fusion • Weapons • Consumer Products o Food Irradiation o Make-up Sterilization o Insect Control o Reflective Signs o Food Production in Agriculture • Other analysis o NMR o Radioactive Dating o Finding Oil Deposits

You will need to pick one of the above topics, or come up with your own with approval from me. The goal of your project is to decide whether the world should continue using or stop using a given radiative application. For example, you can make the argument that we should stop using nuclear fission reactors because of a good, researched proven reason and then give 4 alternatives. If you think that we should continue to use that technology, you need to give a good, researched argument for continued usage. You need to back your argument with creditable resources (NO Wikipedia) and include some visual component (PowerPoint, brochure, poster, ). You may use Wikipedia for deciding on which topic to pursue, but you cannot use it as a source. In addition to the main criteria listed above, your presentation must also include: the history of that technology, the scientist(s) involved, the type of radiation emitted (alpha, beta, or gamma), the corresponding balanced nuclear equation, the main isotope used in that technology, and the number of protons and neutrons in that isotope. You must also include how safe the technology is, as well as give the pros and cons of continuing to use the technology. Lastly, you must state how this technology would impact your community if it was to be continued. Your presentation must last 3-5 minutes in front of the class and everyone in the group must speak. The rubric for grading is on the back of this worksheet. Some useful links to get you started: - http://www.nrc.gov - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Chemistry (DO NOT USE FOR CITING INFORMATION) - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/nucmed.html - http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear.htm

Grading Rubric Criterion

Person 1 History of the technology Scientist(s) involved Purpose of the technology Pros of the technology (>3) Cons of the technology (>2) Type of radiation Balanced nuclear equation Isotope written in proper format # of protons and neutrons Safety of the technology Stated if for or against technology >3 credible sources Presentation was interesting/unique Presentation was creative Presentation lasted 3-5 minutes Everyone in group spoke Included a visual aspect Paid attention to others’ presentations Gave project copy to Mr. Strong Self and Peer Evaluation Total Grade:

Points Earned

Points Possible 5 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 4 5 4 3 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 10 /90