Hello, This Is a Test Document s5

Nuclear power

Focus Questions

1. What issues were raised in the Nuclear power story? EPISODE 7 2. Describe the events leading up to the nuclear power station crisis in Japan. 3. What fuel do most nuclear plants run on? 22ND MARCH 2011 4. How is radiation turned into electricity? 5. Why are cooling systems important? Learning Area 6. What is a nuclear meltdown? Society and Environment, 7. What happened at Chernobyl in the 1980’s? Science 8. What health problems can high levels of radiation cause? 9. Do you think that nuclear power plants should be built in earthquake prone countries? Why or why not? 10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?

Nuclear power Key learning The nuclear crisis in Japan has reignited the nuclear power debate. Students will Students will develop a investigate some key questions about the safety and need for nuclear power in deeper understanding of Australia and the rest of the world. the nuclear energy debate by researching key After watching the Nuclear power story, ask students to record words they questions. associate with nuclear power. Share with the rest of the class and discuss the words chosen by students. What do the words say about their attitude towards nuclear energy? Students investigate their own questions about nuclear power or use the following as a guide:

. How does uranium generate electricity? . What is radiation? . How do you feel about building nuclear power plants in Australia? . How do you feel about uranium being mined in Australia? . Should the public have a say about whether nuclear power plants are built? . Why are some countries using uranium as a power source and not others? What are the costs and the effects on the environment? . What is mainly used to generate electricity in Australia? . What does the current Australian Government think about nuclear energy? . How is the waste from nuclear power reactors handled/disposed of? . Should nuclear power plants be built in earthquake prone countries? . What are the pros and cons of the different sources of energy? Including solar, wind, coal and nuclear.

© ABC 2011 Using their research findings, students write a magazine article, news report or information report about nuclear power. Students can also share their research and opinions about nuclear power on a class blog or wiki.

Reflect on your research and learning What were the most important things I learnt from this activity? Write a response under each of the following headings: Knowledge Skills Understandings Values

8 Related Research Links

ABC Behind the News – Nuclear power http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2724471.htm

ABC News – What is a meltdown? (graphic) http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/japan-quake-2011/What-is-a- meltdown.htm

ABC Science – Japan meltdown not like Chernobyl: expert http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/03/14/3163479.htm

Children’s BBC – How dangerous is radiation? http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9420000/newsid_9426500/9426509. stm

Children’s BBC – Nuclear Power http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4480000/newsid_4488400/4488452. stm

Thinkquest – Nuclear Power http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01335/nuclear.htm

Energy kids –Uranium (nuclear) http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nuclear_home-basics