Resources: Class presentation, handout, a Geiger Muller Tube and radioactive sources to show count rate (optional- if carried out a full risk assessment should be carried out to ensure safe storage and handling).
Handout: Explore the history of the discovery of radiation in terms of Becquerel and Curie. Describe the 3 main types of radiation. Use true and false questions to discuss the background and ionising radiation. Discuss and clarify any misconceptions.
What does radioactivity mean?
What is radioactive decay? Ask the students what they know; use Marvel Films, The Hulk and Peter Parker as Spiderman as a starting point. Discuss what the process of taking X-rays is like; the radiographer being behind a screen and using lead shields.
Use the handout to enhance the topics that have been studied. Broaden students' understanding of the discovery and advancements in nuclear radiation within a very active period of scientific history. Ask the students to explain what they now understand about radioactive decay and how it occurs in the 4 types of radiation. Students will complete the questions on the handout and conduct a discussion to share answers and opinions regarding the uses of radiation.
Draw an infographic of the 3 different types of radiation to use as a revision guide. Include the symbol and essential facts for each. Write clear definitions of the difference between ionising radiation that leads to irradiation and radioactive contamination from unwanted materials. When radiation is used for medical purposes, what precautions are taken to protect people?
Career Film: This is Beth Slingsby. Beth works as a Physicist for National Nuclear Laboratory.
Expert Film: This is Beth Slingsby, Beth works as a Physicist for National Nuclear Laboratory. Beth explains how she works with radioactive materials.
Using the handout, explore the history of the discovery of radioactivity. Make notes and discuss the work of the scientists. Apply key information about Bequerel's experiment to explain their results. Research the sources of background radiation and draw a pie chart. Describe the main types of radiation and answer true and false questions to probe understanding and clarify misconceptions.
Challenge Task: Write clear definitions of the difference between ionising radiation that leads to irradiation and radioactive contamination from unwanted materials. Evaluate the risks and benefits of radiation use. What are the pros and cons? How can it be used safely?
Complete the summative quiz on the presentation to assess learning.
Students can also discuss the image of “radioactivity”. What words do they think of? Is it positive or negative? Why does it have this image? Is the image fair? How can we manage risks when using radioactivity?