Lesson Plans
Nuclear Science Week endeavors to provide a rich assortment of curriculum assistance. The following activities are ready to use in your classroom.
Energy Solutions Foundation has provided a number of these lesson plans, which will provide you with step-by-step ways to teach the fundamentals of nuclear science.
Navigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World
Developed by the American Nuclear Society and Discovery Education, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy, Navigating Nuclear provides educators with standards-aligned resources to connect students to the many fact-based applications of nuclear processes. Students will use nuclear science principles to explore energy, medicine, geology, astronomy, and more!
DownloadVisit siteNAYGN's Global Fuel Cycle Game
Develop an interactive workshop where teams, representing various countries shall develop solutions for addressing the fuel cycle needs of the country they represent, as well as those from other developing countries.
DownloadVisit siteDetecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World
This guide was inspired by the ANS national teacher workshop by the same name. It includes units on: Modeling Atoms, Making Atoms Visible, Personal Dose, Irradiation and Benefits, Half-Life, Measuring and Units (using a Geiger counter), Fission, Decay Chains, Radiation Types, Waste and Energy Production.
DownloadVisit siteThe Atomic Nucleus
Atoms are all around us. What exactly is in them? This PowerPoint presentation can help your students learn about radioactivity.
DownloadVisit siteThe Nuclear Wall Chart
The Nuclear Science Division together with CPEP (The Contemporary Physics Education Project) have produced the Nuclear Science Wall Chart. You can order classroom materials and request reproduction rights for printed materials.
DownloadVisit siteTearing Through a Half-Life
Teach students what the term “half-life” really means. A great kinesthetic activity.
DownloadVisit siteNuclear Popcorn
A great edible activity for teaching students about radioactive decay.
DownloadVisit siteAlphas, Betas, Gammas, Oh My!
Help your students understand how a radioactive element progressively decays to eventually create a stable atom.
DownloadVisit siteRadioactive Decay
Teach students about radioactive decay through this kinesthetic activity.
DownloadVisit siteRadioactive Decay Chains
Help your students understand how alpha, beta, and gamma decay affect an atom’s structure.
DownloadVisit siteSafe and Reliable Nuclear Energy
This PowerPoint presentation is an overview of radiation and the uses of radiation. It gives students a good foundation of the pros and cons of using nuclear energy.
DownloadVisit siteNuclear Clean Air Facts
This handout is an excellent overview of FAQs regarding nuclear energy, its consumption, costs, and environmental footprint.
DownloadVisit siteThe Fission Game
Visually demonstrate to your students how a nuclear chain reaction works.
DownloadVisit siteRadioactive Waste Disposal
Have your students participate in this simulated activity to learn appropriate disposal procedures for radioactive waste.
DownloadVisit siteHow Much Radiation
In the lesson, you can help your students learn common sources of radiation. Help students calculate their annual radiation exposure.
DownloadVisit siteEstimate Your Personal Annual Radiation Dose
Use this worksheet to calculate your annual radiation exposure from common sources such as medical procedures, the sun, daily activities, and foods.
DownloadVisit siteCalculate Your Radiation Dose
A web version of the annual radiation dosage worksheet.
DownloadVisit siteMock Senate
Have your students hold a mock Senate to debate the concerns and benefits of current energy issues.
DownloadVisit sitePerception of Risk
Many people’s perception of the risk of nuclear energy and radiation exposure is vastly different than the actual risk. This lesson is a great way to introduce the real risks associated with nuclear energy and radiation exposure.
DownloadVisit sitePerception of Risk
Many people’s perception of the risk of nuclear energy and radiation exposure is vastly different than the actual risk. This lesson is a great way to introduce the real risks associated with nuclear energy and radiation exposure.
DownloadDownloadCalculate Your Radiation Dose
A web version of the annual radiation dosage worksheet.
DownloadDownloadEstimate Your Personal Annual Radiation Dose
Use this worksheet to calculate your annual radiation exposure from common sources such as medical procedures, the sun, daily activities, and foods.
DownloadDownloadHow Much Radiation
In the lesson, you can help your students learn common sources of radiation. Help students calculate their annual radiation exposure.
DownloadDownloadRadioactive Waste Disposal
Have your students participate in this simulated activity to learn appropriate disposal procedures for radioactive waste.
DownloadDownloadThe Fission Game
Visually demonstrate to your students how a nuclear chain reaction works.
DownloadDownloadNuclear Clean Air Facts
This handout is an excellent overview of FAQs regarding nuclear energy, its consumption, costs, and environmental footprint.
DownloadDownloadSafe and Reliable Nuclear Energy
This PowerPoint presentation is an overview of radiation and the uses of radiation. It gives students a good foundation of the pros and cons of using nuclear energy.
DownloadDownloadRadioactive Decay
Teach students about radioactive decay through this kinesthetic activity.
DownloadDownloadNuclear Popcorn
A great edible activity for teaching students about radioactive decay.
DownloadDownloadTearing Through a Half-Life
Teach students what the term “half-life” really means. A great kinesthetic activity.
DownloadDownloadThe Nuclear Wall Chart
The Nuclear Science Division together with CPEP (The Contemporary Physics Education Project) have produced the Nuclear Science Wall Chart. You can order classroom materials and request reproduction rights for printed materials.
DownloadDownloadDetecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World
This guide was inspired by the ANS national teacher workshop by the same name. It includes units on: Modeling Atoms, Making Atoms Visible, Personal Dose, Irradiation and Benefits, Half-Life, Measuring and Units (using a Geiger counter), Fission, Decay Chains, Radiation Types, Waste and Energy Production.
DownloadDownloadNAYGN's Global Fuel Cycle Game
Develop an interactive workshop where teams, representing various countries shall develop solutions for addressing the fuel cycle needs of the country they represent, as well as those from other developing countries.
DownloadDownloadNavigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World
Developed by the American Nuclear Society and Discovery Education, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy, Navigating Nuclear provides educators with standards-aligned resources to connect students to the many fact-based applications of nuclear processes. Students will use nuclear science principles to explore energy, medicine, geology, astronomy, and more!
DownloadDownloadPerception of Risk
Many people’s perception of the risk of nuclear energy and radiation exposure is vastly different than the actual risk. This lesson is a great way to introduce the real risks associated with nuclear energy and radiation exposure.
DownloadDownloadMock Senate
Have your students hold a mock Senate to debate the concerns and benefits of current energy issues.
DownloadDownloadCalculate Your Radiation Dose
A web version of the annual radiation dosage worksheet.
DownloadDownloadEstimate Your Personal Annual Radiation Dose
Use this worksheet to calculate your annual radiation exposure from common sources such as medical procedures, the sun, daily activities, and foods.
DownloadDownloadHow Much Radiation
In the lesson, you can help your students learn common sources of radiation. Help students calculate their annual radiation exposure.
DownloadDownloadRadioactive Waste Disposal
Have your students participate in this simulated activity to learn appropriate disposal procedures for radioactive waste.
DownloadDownloadNuclear Clean Air Facts
This handout is an excellent overview of FAQs regarding nuclear energy, its consumption, costs, and environmental footprint.
DownloadDownloadSafe and Reliable Nuclear Energy
This PowerPoint presentation is an overview of radiation and the uses of radiation. It gives students a good foundation of the pros and cons of using nuclear energy.
DownloadDownloadRadioactive Decay Chains
Help your students understand how alpha, beta, and gamma decay affect an atom’s structure.
DownloadDownloadRadioactive Decay
Teach students about radioactive decay through this kinesthetic activity.
DownloadDownloadAlphas, Betas, Gammas, Oh My!
Help your students understand how a radioactive element progressively decays to eventually create a stable atom.
DownloadDownloadNuclear Popcorn
A great edible activity for teaching students about radioactive decay.
DownloadDownloadTearing Through a Half-Life
Teach students what the term “half-life” really means. A great kinesthetic activity.
DownloadDownloadThe Nuclear Wall Chart
The Nuclear Science Division together with CPEP (The Contemporary Physics Education Project) have produced the Nuclear Science Wall Chart. You can order classroom materials and request reproduction rights for printed materials.
DownloadDownloadThe Atomic Nucleus
Atoms are all around us. What exactly is in them? This PowerPoint presentation can help your students learn about radioactivity.
DownloadDownloadDetecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World
This guide was inspired by the ANS national teacher workshop by the same name. It includes units on: Modeling Atoms, Making Atoms Visible, Personal Dose, Irradiation and Benefits, Half-Life, Measuring and Units (using a Geiger counter), Fission, Decay Chains, Radiation Types, Waste and Energy Production.
DownloadDownloadNAYGN's Global Fuel Cycle Game
Develop an interactive workshop where teams, representing various countries shall develop solutions for addressing the fuel cycle needs of the country they represent, as well as those from other developing countries.
DownloadDownloadNavigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World
Developed by the American Nuclear Society and Discovery Education, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy, Navigating Nuclear provides educators with standards-aligned resources to connect students to the many fact-based applications of nuclear processes. Students will use nuclear science principles to explore energy, medicine, geology, astronomy, and more!
DownloadDownload
