RE: High School Health Physics

["McClelland, Thomas W" <mccleltw@aramco.com.sa>]

I agree with Tad that we should consider talks to younger students too; I gave my first talk to fourth or fifth graders many years ago. Because I was too prepared for academics, I had to adjust 'on the fly' and we did just fine when we voted if the big fat alphas could get through even 1 page of Cember's book [new, first edition] [one of the only uses for 'alphas are stopped by a sheet of paper' that I've ever found]. 

Like the FM radio exposure, surprise is a good opening for little kids. In answer to the first question from a student, 'did you bring any radiation with you,'  I replied that we were all sitting in radiation right now [looking at the sunlight streaming in through the windows].  Imagine the activity when two of the kids jumped out of their seats and inspected their chairs!  Maybe they were looking for C-14?

----------
From: 	Tad Blanchard[SMTP:Tad.M.Blanchard.1@gsfc.nasa.gov]
Sent: 	Friday, October 23, 1998 4:36 PM
To: 	Multiple recipients of list
Subject: 	RE: High School Health Physics

Everyone of us reading this forum has the ability and the knowledge to
provide some training to school children.  I found this out a few years ago
(by accident).  

A middle school counselor called the Health Physics Office by mistake,
looking for one of our astrophysicists.  She asked me what my profession
was, I told her Health Physics and she said, "What is that?"  

I gave her a brief overview of HP work.  She then asked if I would like to
participate in an upcoming "CAREER DAY".  I hesitated a bit, but after
hearing what they were trying to do, I volunteered to present to some 5th
and 6th graders what I did for a living.

The first time I was a little shaky because I didn't know what to expect.
The kids were great and very interested in what I had to say.  When I
explained to them that when they listened to their local rock-n-roll
station (DC 101) they were being "exposed" to radiation.  This raised a few
eyebrows and it led into my presentation very well.

Now the school counselors have me on their mailing list and I give them one
morning each year to "strut my stuff".  My employer is all for it and gives
me the time and NASA allows me to borrow their equipment for demonstrations.

Call your local school and ask if they have a similar program.  Give them
your support and expertise.  Everyone will benefit from it.


************************** /^\   /^\ ***********************************
Tad  Blanchard            /__ \ /___\   NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center
Parallax, Inc                  O         Code 205.9, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Sr Health Physics Tech        / \                    Phone: 301-286-9157
Assistant RSO                /___\                   Fax:   301-286-1618
                 mailto:Tad.M.Blanchard.1@GSFC.NASA.gov
    http://gsfc-aphrodite.gsfc.nasa.gov/205/205-2/Health/RADPROT.HTM
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