Lesson Overview
Lesson Material
Hello Educators! Check out the lesson overview for our High School Nuclear Learning Power in-class field trip on fission and fusion. Interested in us coming to your classroom? Schedule a visit!
Georgia Standards of Excellence
Lesson Focus: Develop a model to demonstrate fission and fusion, discuss reliability, and explain cost effectiveness of nuclear energy.
SPS4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the changes in nuclear structure as a result of fission, fusion and radioactive decay.
Class Activities
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate between fission and fusion.
- Discuss the process of energy generation in nuclear power plants.
- Describe the benefits of nuclear energy, its practical application as an alternative energy source, and its potential problems.
- Describe the benefits of energy efficiency.
- Describe the potential careers in the nuclear energy field.
Part 1: Video : Plant Vogtle : Leading the New Nuclear Revolution
Purpose of Activity:
- Learn about nuclear facility operations and see how energy transforms and flows within a system.
- Reinforce lesson language, transformations, and flow of energy within a system
Part 2: Activity Sheets
Purpose of Activity:
- Mathematically compare the numbers of protons and neutrons after the fission/fusion reaction with the numbers before the fission/fusion reaction.
- Mathematical visual demonstration of a nuclear reaction.
Part 3: Energy Efficiency and Group Discussion
Purpose of Activity:
- Learn how to make smart energy choices.
- Watch “Why nuclear energy?” video.
Part 4: Careers
Purpose of Activity:
- Discuss careers in the nuclear energy field.
Part 5: Plant Vogtle
Purpose of Activity:
- Review Fun Facts.