AALL Internet Lesson: What is Nuclear Power and How Safe is it?

Teacher's Page If you have any comments/questions please contact Claire Ludovico

Learning Level: Upper level ABE/ASE

Arizona Standards and Indicators:
Reading
Indicator A: Applies recognition and decoding strategies to pronounce and derive meaning ofunfamiliar and technical words
4. Applies context clues to confirm meaning of figurative, idiomatic, and technical words
Indicator B: Applies reading skills to interpret functional and informational text, e.g., consumer information, newspapers, civics documents, science publications
1. Identifies the main idea, critical details, and authorís point ofview and relates them to other sources, real life, and related topics

Writing
Indicator B: Applies the writing process to complete a variety of writing tasks
2. Writes an expository essay of at least 200 words that clearly states and develops a thesis with supporting details from a variety of credibler esources, using strategies such as cause and effect or comparison and contrast.

Science
Indicator B: Adult learners understand the impact of science and technology on human activity and the environment as it relates to the past, present, and future.
4. Describe and compare the intended benefits and unintended consequences and/or risks of scientific and technologic innovations on society and the quality of life.
5. Describe how technology affects the definitions of, access to, and use of resources and the effects of population on those resources.
6. Describe how human activities can induce hazards through resource acquisition, urban growth, land use decisions, and waste disposal.
7. Analyze the risk factors associated with natural, biological, chemical, social (occupational safety and transportation), and personal (smoking, diet, and drugs) hazards.
8. Evaluate the merit of a proposed solution to a human or environmental problem  
Indicator D: Adult learners understand the nature of matter and energy including their forms, the changes they undergo and their interactions. (Physical Science)

Social Studies
History Standard: The adult learner uses and applies social studies concepts in a variety of situations.
Indicator A: Demonstrates and applies the basic tools of historical research, including chronology and how to collect, interpret, and employ information from historical materials
1. Applies chronological and spatial thinking to understand the meaning, implications, and import of historical and current events
2. Assesses the credibility of primary and secondary sources and draws sound conclusions from them
3. Evaluates different historical accounts and opinions of the same event, person, or issue

Lesson Overview:
This lesson provides an overview of electrical power generation with a focus on nuclear power generation. Basic vocabulary words, what radiation is and how much exposure the average person has to it, how nuclear power plants work, the history of nuclear power plants, and the issues concerning their safety will be covered. Will nuclear energy ever again be the energy of the future?

Warm-up:
1. Write the words "radiation" and "nuclear" on the board. Ask for learners' responses to these words.
2. The discussion could include questions like: What do these words mean?
Are there feelings you associate with these terms?
If you live in a major city in southern Arizona do you realize that you are usually downwind of the largest nuclear power plant in the United States?

AALL Internet Lesson: What is Nuclear Power and How Safe is it?

Reaching out:
Learn more about the effects of Chernobyl by following some of the links at the end of the lesson. Write a report to share with the rest of the class. Or check out the links about the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, then write them and see if will answer any questions you might have.