LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Dangers of radiation exposure

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=424

A lesson plan for Grades 9–12 Advanced Placement Earth and Environmental Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
9–12
Subjects
science (environmental science), thinking skills (information literacy, research skills)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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In this lesson, students learn about sources of high-energy radiation and calculate their own exposure to ionizing radiation over the past year. This lesson was developed by the Challenger Center as part of NASA's MESSENGER Mission, of which Science NetLinks is a partner. In the first part of the lesson, students calculate their yearly exposure rate to harmful high-energy radiation and cumulative effects over time. They then use the information to evaluate the various sources of radiation that are of greatest concern for them. In the second part of the lesson, students learn that spacecraft and other objects in space must be concerned with the same kinds of radiation to which humans are exposed. The MESSENGER spacecraft will orbit Mercury and be subjected to much more intense solar radiation than it would near Earth. Students discuss the notion that even though some of the radiation is needed to study the properties of the planet, too much of it can be quite damaging. Science NetLinks provides the lesson plan and overview for teachers, necessary student resources, and links to similar lessons from the site.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grades 9–12 — Advanced Placement Earth and Environmental Science

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.02: Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and environmental science.
      • Create testable hypotheses.
      • Identify variables.
      • Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
      • Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
      • Observe and measure real phenomena.
      • Collect and record data.
      • Organize data into charts and graphs.
      • Analyze and interpret data.
      • Communicate findings.
    • Objective 1.03: Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence to:
      • Explain observations.
      • Make inferences and predictions from data and observations.
      • Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.
      • Communicate results, including suggested ways to improve experiments and proposed questions for further study.
      • Objective 1.05: Analyze reports of scientific investigations of phenomena from an informed scientifically literate viewpoints including considerations of:
        • Adequacy of experimental controls.
        • Replication of findings.
        • Alternative interpretations of the data.
    • Goal 5: The learner will build an understanding of air, water and soil quality.
      • Objective 5.05: Analyze impacts on human health.
        • Infectious disease.
        • Chemical agents.
        • Radiation.
        • Toxicology: LD50, acute and chronic effects.
        • Risk assessment.