More Teaching Ideas for Kids (and Adults)

[eh_carbaugh@ccmail.pnl.gov]

     Three Ideas:
     
     1.  Simulated Unstable Isotopes and Radioactive Decay
     
     I haven't used this yet but will throw it but will probably try it at 
     the next suitable class opportunity.
     
     Create groups of 8-10 kids.  Each group gets a sheet of newspaper on 
     the floor.  They then have to try to have everyone in the group 
     standing on the sheet simultaneously.  Let them try to figure out how 
     to do it.  They may try piggy-back, one-foot balancing, basket holds 
     with arms, etc.  Ideally, once they are in position time them for how 
     long they can hold it.  As kids lose their balance and fall off, note 
     the time each one falls off.  Note particularly the time to when there 
     are only half of them left.
     
     You can go several directions with this.  The kids on the newspaper 
     represent an unstable atom.  As each kid falls off, this can represent 
     a radioactive decay to a more stable condition.  When half of the kids 
     have fallen off, you can say the half-life for that group was some 
     time and compare it with another group.  There will be two basic kinds 
     of "decay particles" - boys and girls.  This can lead to the 
     discussion of different types of radiation.
     
     Using adults I might be tempted to put them on a tabletop and let them 
     tumble to the floor ---- I know, I know...safety issues.  (I'm a 
     Scoutmaster and deal with that all the time).  So just put the paper 
     on the table and explain that now everything is done at a higher 
     energy level and the emission results in a lower, more stable energy 
     level.
     
     Like I said, I haven't actually tried this.  The concept came to me 
     after recently sitting through a rather dry explanation of 
     radioactivity that was beyond the level of the audience.  I was 
     thinking about what could be done to make the audience active 
     participants in the process.
     
     
     2.  Don't forget that a GM and an alpha survey (eg ZnS detector) 
     instrument and a fiesta ware plate allows you to demonstrate alpha (if 
     you've got the thin window), beta, and gamma radiation by using Saran 
     wrap (cling-film for you Brits, and I don't know what it's called on 
     the Continent) to shield the alpha, and a nice thick text book 
     (dictionaries usually work nicely) to shield the beta.
     
     3.  The previous suggestion for demonstrating protective clothing is 
     good but can be carried one step farther - the Protective Clothing 
     Fashion Show.  I use three or four basic "outfits" and models selected 
     from the class.  One outfit was a standard set of protective clothing 
     (for which I emphasize one pays a premium price), then a set of 
     surgical scrubs stolen from a local hospital, next a rain suit 
     purchased from a local sporting goods store, and finally my own 
     Goretex backpacking parka and a pair of rain pants.  For added fun I 
     have been known to throw in a pair of old pants, long sleeve shirt, 
     stocking cap, and work gloves or dishwashing gloves.  The class always 
     gets the point that there is nothing magic about protective clothing.  
     It all puts a barrier between you and the offending substance, be it 
     radioactive contamination, rain, or automotive grease.
     
     
     Have fun - and I hope others post their ideas.  I'm always looking for 
     fun class activities.
     
     
        Gene Carbaugh
        Internal Dosimetry
        Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
        eh_carbaugh@pnl.gov