Lesson 11 - Understanding the Basics of Radiation
Teacher's Guide

Targeted Instructional Objective: Defining fundamental concepts of radiological science

Content Focus: Collecting general information concerning radiation

Radiation has always been present in the environment, and humans are always being exposed to natural and man-made radiation originating from many different sources.

General Instructional Goal: Identify sources of radiation and begin to interpret the effects of given amounts of radiation on the human body

Students recognize major sources of global radiation, understand general facts concerning the evaluation of risks, and compare exposures posed by every-day activities and lifestyle choices.

Specific Outcomes:

Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to:

1) Identify the four major natural sources of radiation
2) Identify the four major sources of man-made radiation
3) Identify biological factors of risk assessment
4) Compare exposure rates posed by food, employment differences, smoking, etc.
Lesson Content Instructional Process
  • Set
Topic Introduction: (Teacher Defined)
 
Suggested preview approaches:
 
1) Teacher can ask students where radiation comes from to assess student background knowledge.
  • Purpose
 Know the natural and man-made sources of radiation and recognize the scientific approach to exposure evaluation.

Understand comparable health risks in normal life.

1) The teacher can ask students if they can name anytime they may have been exposed to radiation. (Dental and medical x-rays, sunlight, etc.) Did they feel that this exposure put them at risk? Why or why not?
  • Guided Practice
 Throughout the reading, the teacher can pause to ask students what they would be willing to change in their lifestyles if they thought their health were at great risk, and if they would still change if they thought they were only at minimum risk. Would they:
a) Stop watching television
b) Change their eating habits or jobs
c) Get married
  • Practice/Application
 Individual or small groups complete the worksheet
  • Summary
Synopsis of material covered
Optional Strategies:
1) Whole group spot check of data answers.
2) Whole group discussion: using a list of different jobs, can students identify logical health risks that might be inherent to employment in: (for example)
a) Medical fields
b) Technological industries
c) Banking and marketing
  • Evaluation
 Recommended score of at least 85% on worksheet to ensure student readiness for subsequent lessons.

Necessary Materials:

Student worksheet
List of employment options, if selected for activity

Supplemental/Cross Curricular Activities and Ideas

You are what you eat: In-depth look at how foods contribute to internal radiation

Small Group Activity gets students thinking about the foods they eat which add radiation to their bodies as they measure the potassium-40 and carbon-14 present in their own bodies and understand that the radiation emitted from these sources is actually essential to the proper operation of their bodies' digestive systems. (Worksheet follows this page.)

Not in my backyard: Evaluating the facts about radiation

Small or Half Group research project sends students to the library for pro and con material concerning the risks and benefits of nuclear power. Full class "real life" activity centers on a town meeting on the topic of whether Our Town accepts a federal proposal to build a power plant just outside the city limits. Students can argue for or against the proposal as individuals, or be designated into special interest groups (Small business owners dependent on tourist trade; unemployed engineers, environmental scientists, and chemists.)

Rad Wear: Technology at work in protective radiation gear

Whole class participates when local environmental scientists or OSHA trainers bring in standard protective wear designed for the health and safety of radiation workers. Protective requirements correspond to the level of potential risk an employee might encounter, so the students may end up in everything from face masks and steel toed boots to full blown "space suits," as the invited class speaker explains the levels of protection and how the clothing prevents employees from exposure.

The Rad Experience: A Guide to Understanding Radiation and Radiological Issues.

The two week unit of The Rad Experience, generated by educators and scientists working with the Teaming Teachers with Industry and Teacher Research Associate Programs at the INEEL, may be found on the Internet at http://www.inel.gov/academic/rad/f_start.htm

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