Power Path
Overview
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Path helps create a more energy-literate generation by expanding young people’s
understanding of the benefits of safely managed radiation.
Fully developed presentations on radiation protection and activities explain
the half life of uranium counter more common misinformation in pop culture and
provide a better understanding of the safe work environment of a nuclear plant,
the elevated safety and security that plant communities enjoy, and the viability
of both short- and long-term used fuel storage. |
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These teaching aids are for the discussion of radiation and energy with an
emphasis on nuclear energy. They serve to increase science processing skills and
thereby science literacy. They are not just aimed at educating the population
that will work in this industry in the future. The intent is to provide for
broad-based education of future community leaders, politicians, and journalists
thereby generating an energy-literate society.
The lesson plans and labs were created by a number of expert educators for
use in junior high and high school classrooms to teach the concepts related to
energy. They are for your use and the creators encourage you to augment or
modify them to better fit the grade and/or subject matter that you teach.
The goal of combining professional educators with industry is to promote an
energy-conscious and energy-educated society. By knowing the economic growth
objectives from the business community’s point of view, teachers can combine the
study of science, energy, social studies, and math with real-world experience to
better prepare students for higher education studies and involvement in the
corporate world.
The Power Path to Nuclear Energy program can spark early interest in nuclear
science. We hope the curriculum will encourage students toward career choices
related to science, engineering and mathematics and, specifically, nuclear power
production. By helping create better educational opportunities for
schoolchildren we also ensure a better future for our community, state and
nation.
Curriculum
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Information is presented through Power Path’s
educational presentations, games and activities, in a professionally
designed packet that includes a 120-page teachers’ guide, a full-color
game piece packet, and where needed, a guide describing how the
curriculum aligns with state teaching requirements.
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• The curriculum was developed by nationally award-winning teachers who know
what works in a classroom and what doesn’t.
• The 120-page teachers’ guide was developed as a comprehensive yet easy
resource to use by teachers.
• All the materials are also available digitally in CDs that comes in the
package so they can be reproduced for multiple classrooms.
• Game pieces can be reproduced exponentially from the digital CD resource
allowing multiple group activities.
• The materials are improved and updated on a regular basis through teacher and
classroom feedback.
• Materials include a PDF introduction and overview and PowerPoint slide show.
Contents of the Curriculum
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Included in this package are three presentations intended to be delivered by
a scientist or a science teacher. Two of them focus on radiation with the
purpose of showing that natural radiation is part of our everyday lives and
man-made radiation has many useful benefits and can be managed safely when
handled properly. The other presentation compares and contrasts all energy forms
and their impact on the environment. The purpose is to show that economic growth
depends on an economical and efficient supply of electricity.
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- Half a Life is Better Than None- Understanding radioactive decay
by using statistical methods to gather and compare data.
- Tearing Through Half Life- Kinesthetic activity will help develop
math, science and technology skills on a conceptual level that includes
mathematical reasoning and science processing.
- Mock Senate Sub Committee Hearing - Use accepted procedures to
conduct an orderly and efficient debate in the form of a mock Senate
sub-committee hearing to present a logical, realistic and convincing
discussion regarding a current energy issue.
- Alphas, Betas and Gammas Oh, My! - Understanding radioactive
decay.
- Nuclear Popcorn - Helps students visualize the rate of
radioactive decay.
- Power Production Old Maid - Understanding power production and
capacity, methods, locations, conservation, etc.
- Energy Trivia Game
- Information sheets: Radioactive Decay of Uranium-238; Nuclear
Engineering, Science and Technology
- Glossary
- Additional Resources
- Energy Production Photo Library
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