Helping Children Understand Meltdowns

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben – Mon Mar 14, 12:43 pm ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110314/lf_ac/8058784_helping_children_understand_nuclear_reactor_melt downs

The Japanese earthquake and tsunami on Friday caused an explosion at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor building. Nuclear reactor meltdown is a horrible fear. Here are lessons and activities to help children understand nuclear energy issues.

Children may not be familiar with terms like "nuclear reactor meltdown," "Three Mile Island accident" and " disaster." When adults hear about the nuclear reactor explosion in Japan we naturally think of these incidents. It's important when educating children about nuclear meltdowns, we provide accurate information and don't communicate panic.

Begin with an overview of nuclear energy. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the governing agency for nuclear energy. NRC has created a unit with lesson plans, including a specific set on nuclear reactors. NRC also has a student page with information and activities geared for children.

Nobel Prize has a large assortment of resources for nuclear energy and atomic theory. Of particular note is the body of work from Nobel Laureates in Physics and Chemistry.

Energy for Educators has lessons written for upper elementary, middle school and high school students about nuclear energy. There are lessons on atoms, the cloud chamber, radiation and nuclear reactor simulations. There are printable lessons, activities, demonstrations and quizzes.

In 1986, there was a nuclear reactor meltdown at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine (part of , then). The Discovery Channel created a multipart documentary called "Battle of Chernobyl." These links provide activities, resources and video access.

In March 1979, there was a nuclear accident at Three Mile Island near Middleton, Pa. Here are NRC resources and videos clips from the program "Meltdown at Three Mile Island."

CNN Student News provides rational, age-appropriate news updates for middle school age students. BBC offers another reliable source of news for students. Kyodo News from Japan is a good media source for updates on what's happening in Fukushima.

See also Crisis in Japan: Understanding Nuclear Energy and Reactors from The Learning Network of The New York Times http://tiny.cc/w91d5 This site has a video on the possible core nuclear meltdown in Japan and a link to another instructional video as well as lesson plans.

Be sure to see the PBS site information and updates as well.