Lesson Plan #2 Name: Megan Anderson and Karin Stefans

Lesson Title: Nuclear Power Plants Grade Level: 8th Lesson Topic: Nuclear Power The main concept to be constructed during the lesson: During this lesson students will learn about ssion and nuclear power and to see the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. KUSD Standards and Benchmarks: A-5.8 The study of earth and space science, life and environmental science, and physical science are interconnected by unifying themes. D-3.8 Regardless of how substances within a close system interact, the total mass of the system remains the same. -Atoms do not break down during normal laboratory reactions. H-3.8 The global environment is affected by national policies and practices relating to energy use, waste disposal, ecological management, manufacturing, and population. H-5.8 Social needs, attitudes, and values inuence the direction of technological development. Materials Needed: Teacher's Materials: computer projector Student's Materials: pencil/pen paper worksheet Safety Precautions and/or special procedures: During demonstration of nuclear chain reaction make sure ALL students are paying attention so that they do not get hit by a piece of paper in the eye or anywhere else where it may hurt or cause injury. Phase 1: Engagement Asking students questions that review what an atom and nucleus are. Q: What are the parts of an atom? A: Electrons, neutrons, and protons Q: What is a nucleus? A: Collection of protons and neutrons which is the center of an atom and contains most of the mass and determines what kind of atom it is. Q:What does a nucleus contain? A: Protons and neutrons

Phase 2: Exploration Process skills: Observing, communicating Exploration activity: Gone Fission- Quick lab from class textbook Each student will take out a piece of paper and rip it in half and then crinkle the halves into two paper balls. Teacher will explain that she will start this reaction by throwing one paper ball at the group of students. When a student gets hit by a paper ball they are then to throw their two paper balls at other students. As the activity progresses the amount of paper balls being thrown will progressively increase until no one has any more paper balls. At the end, the students will each pick up two more paper balls and return to their seats as quietly and quickly as possible. This process shows a uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. The process will then be conducted again but when students are throwing their paper balls the teachers will be catching some of them. This will demonstration will the process of a controlled nuclear chain reaction. If needed either of the processes can be conducted again. Phase 3: Explanation of the Concept Power point on Nuclear power points. Power point attached at the end of lesson plan. Key question and desired answered: Q: What is ssion? A: Fission is when a neutron strikes a large nucleus, causing the nucleus to split apart. This releases a lot of energy and creates smaller nuclei an neutrons. Q: What is a nuclear chain reaction? A: A continues series of nuclear ssion reactions Q: Why is nuclear ssion important? A: It can be used as a source of energy. Q: How does a nuclear power plant work? A: Fuel rods are created from Uranium-235 nuclei. A chain reaction occurs. Control rods absorb extra neutrons so there are fewer ssion reactions (otherwise, the nuclear power plant would turn into an atomic bomb!). The energy from the ssion chain reaction heats up water surrounding the reactor. The water gets so hot that it turns into steam. The steam turns a turbine that is connected to a generator. The generator turns the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Q: What is mechanical energy? A: The energy of motion used to perform work. Q:What is electrical energy? A: The energy associated with electric charges and their movements. Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants? A: Advantages: Cost less to run than fossil fuel plants Do not release pollutants like carbon dioxide Creates a lot of energy with just a little bit of material -- much more efcient than fossil fuel Reduces the need the USA has on other countries for energy sources (like oil) Disadvantages: Accidents that could kill people or give them radiation poisoning There is waste from nuclear power plants that could poison the environment if it is not properly disposed

Nuclear plants cost more to build than fossil fuel plants Supply of uranium is limited What procedures/steps will you follow to help students construct the concept? What is the concept statement you hope is constructed? Students will take notes during our power point presentation about advantages and disadvantages to Nuclear Power Plants. These notes will later help the students with an assignment posed to them at the end of the power point. Phase 4: Expansion of the Concept Process Skills: classifying, communicating, questioning Activity (procedures/steps): Students will be assigned the individual task of writing a letter to their local representative persuading them to vote for or against a hypothetical nuclear power plants. Before students start writing they will discuss as a group some of the advantages and disadvantages that they found or thought of throughout the power point presentation. Then students will be giving a worksheet that explains the expectations of the assignment and models how the letter should look. Students will then have the rest of the class period to work on their letters individually and quietly. If anyone nishes his or her letter before the end of class then he or she can turn it in. Otherwise, the letter is due on Thursday at the beginning of class. Science in personal and social perspectives: The affects of a nuclear power plant on a person and / or a community. Science and technology: The use of power point to explain the process that is used in a Nuclear Power Plant and is the complex technology that is used in a Nuclear Power Plant. Phase 5: Evaluation of the Concept Hands-On Assessment: The Gone Fission activity will be the hands-on assessment. We will observe if students can follow the directions given about the demonstration and see if they can understand and observe what happens in the two different types of nuclear chain reactions. Reective Assessment: The persuasive letter to their local representative about the issue of nuclear power plants. References and Internet Supplements http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/nukequiz/nukequiz_one/nuke_parts/ reactor_parts.swf http://faculty.virginia.edu/metals/Images/schwantes1.jpg http://wanttoknowit.com/advantages-of-nuclear-power/

Imagine that the U.S. Senate is about to vote on a new bill called S. 40994, otherwise known as the Nuclear Bill. If the bill turns into a law, the government will set aside millions of dollars towards building nuclear power plants across the country. As a responsible citizen, you want to write to your state senator to voice your opinion on whether he should vote for or against this bill. Decide whether or not you are in favor of bill S. 40994. Use the facts you learned today about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power to convince your senator to vote for or against the bill. Create a strong argument. Write in complete sentences and full paragraphs and make sure that you use the appropriate letter format below. You do not need to type this, but it must be very legible. Remember: this is a letter to a very important government official! Your Street Address City, State Zip Code March 30, 2010 The Honorable Herb Kohl United States Senator 330 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Kohl: This is where you create your argument of or against S. 40994. Make sure that your write in complete sentences and full paragraphs. Persuade Senator Kohl to see things your way! Sincerely, Sign your name