Kent Triple Science Network

1. From Kent Science Resource Centre Teaching Radioactivity Kent Triple Science Network

2. What’s stopping you? • Not sure about the subject matter? • Not confident in doing practical work and concerns about safety? • No equipment for practical work? • A dull topic that students cannot relate to? • Let’s address these concerns

3. Subject knowledge • Watch video • ‘Demonstrating Physics – Radioactivity’ from IOP and CLEAPSS • A few years old now from Teachers TV but still good basic stuff. • Want a copy? • Sections of this video available at http://www.iop.org/resources/videos/education/classroom/radioactivity/page_51912.html • And shorter animations – easy to download are also provided. Some downloaded and made available here.

4. Subject knowledge • Teaching notes generously shared by Terry Connolly of Simon Langton Boys’ School.

5. Changing the message An alpha particle colliding with DNA can damage (ionise) a bond and change the instructions it carries with potentially disastrous consequences. Damage to DNA in the reproductive organs is especially dangerous. One small change to the message can make all the difference, for example: ‘I am going to the bank to arrange a loan so I can purchase my father’s shop’ ss quite different from: ‘I am going to the bank to arrange a loan so I can purchase my father’s shoe’

6. Uses of radiation

7. Safety • Lots of schools disposed of radioactive sources as a • result of health and safety concerns. • This should not happen! • Students should experience radioactive sources and they are perfectly safe if correct procedures are followed. • For sound advice see the CLEAPSS Guide – L93 • The video also has good safety advice from a CLEAPSS adviser.

8. Practical work • Follow guidance on the video for handling radioactive sources • Start with a simple experiment with an inflated, electrostatically charged balloon • Charge it and leave it for some time then use a ‘radioactivity detector’ (GM tube) on it. • The charged balloon picks up natural radioactive decay products in the environment

9. No equipment? • Pity! But could you borrow from a friendly neighbour? • Use video clips • Do some drama • Modelling – lego blocks; dice, skittles. See Terry’s resources.

10. It’s dull and lacks relevance • Wrong! • What could be more relevant than • Nuclear power and disposal of waste. Great opportunity for discussion, debate, role play. • Nuclear medicine – fighting cancer. Relevant to so many families – but be sensitive.

11. Coming your way… Energy Foresight resources Teacher’s Guide 3 Films on DVD/CD

12. Using the films on DVD • Play films straight through, or play individual chapters

13. Radiation and Health • In the context of a patient with lymphoma, the film deals with: • Radiation properties - alpha, beta, gamma • Use of radioisotopes in treatment of cancer by brachytherapy (putting sources near a tumour) • Targeting and treatment of cancer - injection of isotopes that target cancers, use of a gamma camera, how to limit exposure • PET scanning - for diagnosis and treatment

14. Managing Nuclear Waste • The history of nuclear power and the waste it produces • The sources of radiation and harnessing them to produce power • Ionising radiation, including the structure of the atom, decay of a nucleus, ,  and  radiation properties and uses • Why do we have to do something – decommissioning • Why is radiation dangerous? Becquerels, dose, sieverts, effect of radiation on the body, ALARA • Protection from radiation and contamination – shielding, distance, difference between contamination and irradiation • High, intermediate and low-level waste and how to deal with it. • Packaging and storing high-level waste • Radioactive half-life • What can we do in the future? What do we do with the waste? • What do we do now? Burial versus above ground storage

15. Resources from IoP • Medical Physics and Radioactivity. Presentation and teachers’ notes. • Positron Emission Tomography (PET scans). Presentation, teachers’ notes, worksheet and video

16. PET Scans • Some artificial (man-made) isotopes emit positrons. In so doing a proton turns into a neutron. • A positron is like an electron but is positive. Called a + particle. • Useful isotopes of F, O, N can be bonded into glucose molecules • The glucose is taken up by organs (and tumours) in the body. • Positrons emitted meet electrons. The two annihilate each other releasing gamma radiation. • This is detected by a ring of gamma cameras • Tracing beams of radiation back can locate the area ( a tumour?) that has taken up lots of glucose

17. Finally…. • An article from Catalyst magazine • And what do you think now?