Nuclear Science: Understanding the Development and Control of Nuclear Energy, Table of Contents

Nuclear Science: Understanding the Development and Control of Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear Science: Understanding the Development and Control of Nuclear Energy - Unit of 21 lessons that covers 1) the historical significance of the atomic age through use of primary documents 2) examines nuclear energy from the perspective of the physical sciences. This 7-page document outlines the unit and how to use materials for various lessons. (Note: In order to honor copyright, not all materials used in these lessons could be posted to the WhistleStop web site. We are providing references to materials that had to be omitted).
• Author: Gayla O'Connor
  School: Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs School District
  Level: 9th Grade

  Units in Nuclear Science: The Lift and Times of Harry Truman

  1. Primary Documents on the Historical Significance of the Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb
  2. Entry titled "Nuclear Weapons" from 1996 Collier Encyclopedia. Not available from Project WhistleStop.
  3. See page 3of Gayla O'Connor's introduction for more info. on lesson 3. Requires a copy of Einstein's letter to President Roosevelt, which is available offsite at Leo Szilard Online: Einstein's letter to Roosevelt, August 2, 1939(used with permission of Gene Dannen)
  4. Document concerning Truman's decision to initiate a hydrogen-bomb research and development project
  5. Telegram concerning the May-Johnson atomic energy bill, along with several memoranda, a speech, and text of the bill
  6. Copyright protected articles from the Portland (ME.) Press Herald, the United States News. Articles concern the control of atomic energy. Articles not available from Project WhistleStop.
  7. Nuclear Chronicle: Poster Supplement:Atomic timeline and biographical sketches of scientists involved, directly or indirectly, with development of atomic energy
  8. Personal Radiation Dose : a sheet concerning radiation exposure in everyday life
  9. Copyright protected article from HPS Newsletter, January 1987, page 16, about explaining radiation to a group of 8th graders. Not available from Project WhistleStop.
  10. Copyright article and graphic from the Metairie Times on radiocarbon dating of archaelogical finds
  11. Understanding Half Life
  12. Diagram showing first human-made nuclear reaction
  13. Subatomic particles and rays
  14. Radioactive materials in everyday life
  15. Making a cloud chamber from a Petri Dish
  16. Nuclear Fission - Chain Reaction
  17. Radioactive Waste Disposal Activity