About this Site
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The Nuclear Science Technology High School Curriculum Website is a tool developed to explain concepts, issues and people related to energy and in particular nuclear energy. The website was developed for the public, for teachers and specifically for students in grades 9–12.
As energy supply, security, cost and environmental issues dominate government agendas and public consciousness, understanding how energy is produced, used and impacts our everyday lives becomes increasingly important to all of us.
Exploring the possibilities of atomic energy through its wide range of applications from atoms as the basic building block of life, to the physics of energy and matter and to a wide range of other applications that nuclear technology offers in medicine, research and development, manufacturing and agriculture provides teachers and students a tool to better understanding nuclear energy and its contributions.
The website was developed over a period of many years drawing upon the expertise of leading nuclear scientists and science educators and has being developed with the participation and support of all Science Curriculum Coordinators from provincial and territorial Ministries of Education from across Canada.
The lesson plans on this site were developed taking into account curriculum for every province and territory in Canada and include lessons for teachers in general science, environmental science, biology, physics, chemistry, geography, history, social studies and world issues.
The attractive web-based modules have been designed with multiple strategies to understand the scientific knowledge and issues related to nuclear technology. These include information sheets, instructional media, videos, animations explaining scientific information, games, electronic publications and other resource materials. Included are lesson plans, short activities, articles, PowerPoints and video resources to support teaching and learning about nuclear technologies in the classroom. Materials will continuously be developed, refreshed, and updated.
The modules focus on eight key areas: Canada’s Nuclear History, Atomic Theory, What is Radiation?, Biological Effects of Radiation, World Energy Sources, Nuclear Technology at Work, Safety in the Nuclear Industry and Career information.
Module Highlights
Canada’s Nuclear History: The module describes the origin of nuclear energy and provides an overview of its international roots leading from Europe to Canada. It identifies important key figures and events relating to Canada’s long nuclear history.
Atomic Theory: The module presents information about the basic structure of the atom and of elements. Students will be able to learn about the basic structure of the atom and elements, nuclear fission and people internationally and in Canada who made important discoveries in the area of nuclear physics.
What is Radiation?: The module describes what radiation is and its sources, including both human-made and natural sources. It also has extensive information on nuclear decay (alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay), including half-life and decay series.
Biological Effects of Radiation: The module provides a basic understanding of the biological effects of radiation. Students will learn the difference between irradiation and contamination; the difference between somatic and genetic effects of ionizing radiation and gain an understanding of how ionizing radiation can enter the body.
World Energy Sources: The module provides a broad overview of the role of energy in the world and its impacts on people’s lives, the economy and the environment. Students will learn how electricity generation works; will be able to identify the different energy sources available and used throughout the planet; gain an understanding of carbon dioxide emissions and our carbon footprint; and gain an understanding of the pros and cons of each energy source and how our growing electrical needs impact our day to day lives.
Nuclear Technology at Work: The module covers uranium mining, electricity generation, food irradiation, nuclear medicine, manufacturing, inspection and monitoring of nuclear facilities, scientific research, aeronautics and space exploration. Students will gain an understanding of how nuclear energy plays an important role in Canada’s energy mix and its important role in our research and development infrastructure.
Safety in the Nuclear Industry: The module provides a general understanding of the risks of nuclear technology and the safety measures which the nuclear industry undertakes to minimize these risks. It includes information about nuclear accidents, nuclear waste, fuel reprocessing, nuclear non-proliferation, transportation and reactor safety.
About Careers: The module covers a wide range of career options offered in the energy and nuclear sectors, ranging from trades to engineering and science opportunities, manufacturing, medicine, agriculture and research and development.
The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) is a non-profit organization established in 1960 to represent the nuclear industry in Canada and promote the developments and growth of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. The CNA has over 100 members including power utilities, labour unions, manufacturers, uranium mining and fuel processing companies, engineering companies, universities and associations.