Nuclear power

Focus Questions

  1. Discuss the BtN story with another student.
  2. How is nuclear energy made?
  3. What fuel do most nuclear plants run on?
  4. Radiation is a type of…
  5. How is radiation turned into electricity?
  6. What is a benefit of nuclear power?
  7. What is a disadvantage?
  8. What is the problem with radioactive waste?
  9. Why are a lot of people concerned about the safety of nuclear power plants?
  10. Why do you think Australians have changed their opinion about nuclear energy?

Is going nuclear the answer to global warming?
Students will investigate the nuclear energy debate and create an argument for or against Australia generating electricity from nuclear energy.

Discuss the BtN nuclear power story with the students. Clarify what students understand by the following key words:

·  Nuclear energy

·  Uranium

·  Radiation

·  Fossil fuels

·  Greenhouse emissions

·  Radioactive waste

·  Renewable

·  Non- renewable

Create a class concept map of the different options for generating electricity from different energy sources (fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable - solar, wind).

Students can explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option. This will help them develop a response to the question:

Is going nuclear the answer to global warming?

Issues to consider…

·  What is global warming?

·  Options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

·  Generating electricity from different energy sources

·  Nuclear reactor safety

·  Disposing of radioactive waste

Structure of an argument

Statement of position

State what the issue or topic is

Form a clear, forceful statement of position or opinion

The audience should be clear about the stand being taken by the author.

Argument stage

Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence which introduces each point

The rest of the paragraph gives more reasons

Arguments can be ordered from strongest to weakest.

Reinforcement of statement of position (Summing up)

Sums up the author’s position.

Language features

Words that link arguments (because, therefore)

Evaluative language (important, best, safest)

Thinking verbs (we believe, people think)

Further investigations

Give a one-minute presentation outlining how you would feel about a nuclear reactor being built close to your house.

Investigate uranium mining in Australia. Where are the mines located and where does the uranium go?

8 Related Research Links
ABC News – People open to nuclear power: Carr
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/13/2712317.htm?site=news

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

Howstuffworks – How nuclear power works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm

Thinkquest – Different energy sources
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0110881/energy_en.html

The Children’s University – Advantages and disadvantages of energy sources
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/energy/discovermore/advantages.pdf

© ABC 2009