Nuclear Project Lesson Plan
Rebecca Brayfield
Chemistry Teacher
Twin Lakes High School, Monticello IN 47960
This project is designed for Chemistry 1 students, grades 10 – 12. Before starting the
project, students should have a basic understanding of nuclear chemistry. Topics such as
radioactivity, radiation, fission/fusion, and nuclear reactions should have already been covered
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.
Students start the project with the student handout, located at the end of this
document. That documents starts off with a list of 17 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).
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Since this project is based on opinion, students must be careful when forming their
arguments. Teachers should guide students to reputable websites to find articles and sites to
support as well as contradict the students’ prior knowledge. 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 choose 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.
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Name: ___________________________________ Period: _________
Chapter 25: Nuclear Chemistry
Date:_________
Chemistry 1
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
o Diagnosis
 MRI
 Stress Tests
 X-rays
o Cancer Treatment
Reactors
o Fission
o Fusion
Weapons
Consumer Products
o Food Irradiation
o Make-up Sterilization
o Smoke Detectors
o Insect Control
o Reflective Signs
o Food Production in Agriculture
Other analysis
o NMR
o Radioactive Dating
o Finding Oil Deposits
o Neutron Activation Analysis
o Radioactive Tracers
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
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a viable alternative. 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, song you create, etc). 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
INFORMATION)
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/nucmed.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear.htm
FOR
CITING
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Names: ____________________________________________________ Period: _________
Chapter 25: Nuclear Chemistry
Chemistry 1
Grading Rubric
Criterion
History of the technology
Points Earned
Person 1
Person 2
Points Possible
5
Scientist(s) involved
4
Purpose of the technology
3
Pros of the technology (>3)
4
Cons of the technology (>2)
4
Type of radiation
3
Balanced nuclear equation
4
Isotope written in proper format
3
# of protons and neutrons
4
Safety of the technology
5
Stated if for or against technology
4
>3 credible sources
3
Presentation was interesting/unique
5
Presentation was creative
5
Presentation lasted 3-5 minutes
5
Everyone in group spoke
4
Included a visual aspect
5
Paid attention to others’ presentations
5
Gave project copy to Mrs. Brayfield
5
Self and Peer Evaluation
10
Total Grade:
/90
5
Self and Peer Evaluation
Name: _____________________________ Partner’s Name: _____________________________
Rate yourself and your peer from 0 – 2 on the following topics: (0 being rarely/never, 1 being
sometimes, and 2 being all/most of the time)
Dimension
Self-Rating Peer Rating
Did fair share of work
Was cooperative
Was dependable
Contributed to project
Was valuable
Total:
/10
/10
Other comments:
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