Re: Kids, Radiation and Science

[Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov]

Message authorized by:
    : aperansj@MCCLELLAN-CMLS.ARMY.MIL_at_internet at x400PO
    I would like to second John's suggestion here regarding contacting the 
    schools.  When my daughter's sixth grade science class was discussing 
    energy, I offered to the teacher to come in and discuss all forms of 
energy 
    production, including nuclear.  The thought was to put them all into 
some 
    perspective regarding the advantages and disadvantages of each form (oil,
 
    coal, nuclear, solar, hydro, etc), demonstrate that all forms had their 
    place in the mix, and to show that none could be relied upon to satisfy 
the 
    whole need.  
    
    The teacher and the school was very receptive to this, and I spent a 
full 
    day at the school.  I was also in this context able to introduce and 
discuss 
    the concepts of radiation and its effects on humans.  There was never 
any 
    negative response; in fact another teacher requested that some of her 
    students join in the sessions.
    
    PS:  The teacher had a plate of Fiestaware that almost pegged my meters 
(low 
    range alpha and beta/gamma friskers), and would probably have created a 
    situation similar to NJ if she had not already been aware of what she 
had.  
    She had bought it from somebody who assured her it was real, but she had 

    never gotten it measured for comfirmation.  We were able to fit it into 
the 
    discussion nicely.
    
    Doug Minnema (Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov)
    Defense Programs, 
    Dept. of Energy
    
    what few thoughts I have are indeed my own.


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Subject: Kids, Radiation and Science
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu_at_internet at x400PO
Date:    5/9/97 1:12 PM


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Laura O'Neil asked how to get invited to schools to show young students 
how radiation works and affects our lives.  I asked our acting Director 
of Rad Labs here, as he does presentations at Jacksonville State 
University, as well as at elementary and secondary schools in the area. 
 His answer, in a nutshell, is ASK.  The teachers and
students are very receptive to such demonstrations.  His one 
recommendation was to talk to teachers about how your presentation 
can be fit into the curriculum.  It never hurts to try to give them a 
hand with some of their work.  And if part of the science class deals 
with radioactivity, you have a prime opportunity.
    
Demonstrations that we have put on include the G-M demonstration,
as well as using a cloud chamber with over-the-counter type materials.
    
People from our office, through the Alabama Chapter HPS, have also 
given a hand judging local science fairs.
    
Good luck.
John Aperans
>
>Health Physics Office, US Army Chemical School 
>Ft McClellan, AL
>aperansj@mcclellan-cmls.army.mil
>Voice (205) 848-5044    FAX (205) 848-4615
>Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author (me). 
>The Department of the Army and DoD have no knowledge of this message, 
>and would not approve it if they did.
>
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