Bringing Nuclear Science Experiments to the Classroom*

While basic concepts of nuclear science are part of many states' science curricula, few schools have the materials needed for students to conduct experiments in this area.  Using a small grant from the American Nuclear Society, a “lending library” of equipment has been assembled that allows teachers and their students to conduct several simple nuclear science experiments in their classrooms.  After attending one training session, teachers can check out kits containing Geiger counters, radioactive sources, and a variety of materials containing low levels of radioactivity.  Teachers are provided with a guidebook on nuclear science and instructions on how to lead their students in experiments to:  distinguish alpha, beta, and gamma radiations; measure the half life of a radioactive nucleus; observe radiation from materials that may be found in the home.  In this talk, issues involved in setting up programs of this kind will be discussed as well as feedback received from teachers.