Physical Science: Nuclear Energy
Teacher’s Guide
Grade Level: 6–8
Curriculum Focus: Physical Science
Lesson Duration: 3–4 class periods
Program Description
Stars are natural nuclear reactors. At their cores, the intense heat and pressure cause hydrogen atoms to
collide and fuse to form helium. The energy from this fusion is what fuels the star. The sun is no
different. Without its nuclear energy, we wouldn’t exist. People have also been able to create nuclear
energy through fission. In fission, the nuclei of atoms are split, which releases great amounts of energy.
The trouble lies in controlling such reactions. Dangers from uncontrolled nuclear reactions include
devastation from the resulting explosions and toxic radiation. Even though nuclear science can be used
for good purposes, such as energy or medicine, is carries great risks. Scientist Marie Curie helped
pioneer the study of radiation, but she died of leukemia caused by its toxic properties. There is no more
obvious example of the danger nuclear science poses than the mushroom cloud generated by an atomic
bomb blast. There is no question that nuclear submarines are superior to diesel subs.
Discussion Questions
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How is the sun a nuclear reactor? Explain a fusion reaction as it occurs in a star.
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What is nuclear fission? Why do fusion and fission produce energy?
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What are dangers associated with nuclear reactions? How is radiation dangerous?
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What did Pierre and Maria Curie discover? What was Irene Joliot-Curie’s contribution to
science?
• When was the first atomic bomb tested, and when and where were they first used in war?
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Why is a hydrogen bomb more devastating that an atomic bomb?
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What are the advantages of nuclear powered submarines?
Lesson Plan
Student Objectives
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Be able to define nuclear fission and fusion.
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Learn about uses of nuclear energy and radiation and drawbacks to nuclear technologies.
Physical Science: Nuclear Energy
Teacher’s Guide
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2
Conduct research into controversial topics in nuclear science and write op-ed pieces.
Materials
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Computer with Internet access
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Print resources about radiation and nuclear energy
Procedures
1. Nuclear energy has enormous potential to be both beneficial and destructive. Using it raises
serious ethical concerns, but do those concerns outweigh the benefits? The answers aren’t easy
to come by. But exploring the issues swirling around nuclear science is important. To do this,
students will each write an op-ed article that will become part of a forum on nuclear energy
made up of everyone’s submissions.
2. First discuss the nature of an op-ed piece. Explain that it is an essay that reflects a writer’s
opinion. For the piece to be convincing, it should be well researched and carefully written. It is
helpful to examine all sides of an issue in explaining why the writer has come to the conclusion
presented in the article.
3. So that you’ll have variety in the articles, offer the following topic suggestions to students. But
also encourage them to explore their own interests in the subject.
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The ethics of dropping atomic bombs during World War II
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Nuclear weapons as deterrents
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Nuclear proliferation
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Pros and cons of nuclear power plants
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Storing nuclear waste
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Scientific advances from nuclear weapons research
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Potential or future uses of nuclear power (i.e. cold fusion)
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Pros and cons of radiation as it’s used in any of the following areas: medicine, industry,
agriculture, consumer products
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Nuclear powered submarines
4. The following sites will help students in their research:
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Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues
http://alsos.wlu.edu/
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Atomic Archive
http://www.atomicarchive.com/
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Department of Energy’s Current Locations of Spent Nuclear Fuel
http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/newsroom/photos/photos_natlmap.shtml
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Physical Science: Nuclear Energy
Teacher’s Guide
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3
Department of Energy’s Nuclear Age Timeline
http://web.em.doe.gov/timeline/
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Iowa Public Television Profiles: Nuclear
http://www3.iptv.org/exploremore/energy/profiles/nuclear.cfm
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Maps of Nuclear Power Reactors: North America
http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/north_america.php
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National Safety Council’s Understanding Radiation
http://www.nsc.org/issues/radisafe.htm
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NuclearFiles
http://www.nuclearfiles.org/
5. Compile the finished articles into a print or online forum to share with the class. After everyone
has read them, conduct a quick survey. Ask students the following questions and record the
“yes” or “no” responses.
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Can nuclear power and radiation be used safely?
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Do the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh the risks?
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Did students’ opinions about nuclear energy change after completing this assignment?
Discuss how.
Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
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3 points: Students were highly engaged in class discussions; conducted thorough research;
wrote a thoughtful, persuasive op-ed.
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2 points: Students participated in class discussions; conducted adequate research; wrote an
average op-ed.
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1 point: Students participated minimally in class discussions; conducted minimal research;
wrote an incomplete or inaccurate op-ed.
Vocabulary
atomic bomb
Definition: Weapon in which uranium and plutonium atoms are split to create great energy
Context: Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
fission
Definition: Nuclear reaction in which the nuclei of atoms are split to create energy
Context: Today’s nuclear power plants use fission to produce energy.
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Physical Science: Nuclear Energy
Teacher’s Guide
4
fusion
Definition: Nuclear reaction in which atoms are combined, or fused, to produce energy
Context: The sun is a natural fusion reactor.
hydrogen bomb
Definition: A weapon in which great destructive force is derived from a fusion reaction
Context: Hydrogen bombs are much more powerful than atomic, or fission, bombs.
nuclear reaction
Definition: A process in which nuclei of atoms collide, producing something different from the
original two
Context: Fission and fusion are two types of nuclear reactions.
Nucleus (nuclei, plural)
Definition: The center of an atom, having protons and neutrons
Context: Nuclear energy derives from splitting or combining the nuclei of atoms.
radiation
Definition: Emission of energy particles or waves
Context: Radiation from nuclear explosions is deadly, but radiation used in medical procedures
can save lives.
Academic Standards
National Academy of Sciences
The National Science Education Standards provide guidelines for teaching science as well as a
coherent vision of what it means to be scientifically literate for students in grades K–12. To view the
standards, visit this Web site:
http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/overview.html#content
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:
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Physical Science: Transfer of energy
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)
McREL's Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K–12 Education
addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:
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Science: Physical Sciences—Understands the sources and properties of energy
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Language Arts: Viewing—Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret
visual media; Writing—Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process, Gathers
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.
Physical Science: Nuclear Energy
Teacher’s Guide
5
and uses information for research purposes; Reading—Uses reading skills and strategies to
understand and interpret a variety of informational texts
Support Materials
Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools
offered on the Discoveryschool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a
Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit
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http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html
Also find this Discovery lesson plan devoted to nuclear energy at:
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We’ve Got the Power
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/energyefficiency/
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.