Teachers and scientists seek to trigger positive reactions in local classrooms
"Science education develops students' curiosity and that provides them with opportunities to learn," said Candace Davison, workshop presenter and senior reactor operator at Penn State University's Radiation Science and Education Center. "Teaching lessons about radioactivity opens classroom discussions to topics from appraising art with nuclear technology to preserving lives with nuclear diagnostics."
The workshop brings together teachers and professionals working in the field of nuclear science and technology. Specialists from NASA, University of Florida, Penn State University, Idaho National Laboratory, and Westmoreland Hospital will provide valuable information and hands-on activities for teaching about radiation, radioactivity and nuclear technology in classrooms.
Participants learn to use and receive free analog Geiger Counters to use with their students, in addition to getting additional visual materials and experiments. The workshop assists teachers striving to meet National Science Education Standards.
The American Nuclear Society's Public Education Program provides current information on nuclear-related topics to educators, students and the public. ANS resources include the www.aboutnuclear.org Web site, printed publications and the ReActions newsletter.
Held in conjunction with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Society, this workshop was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, and through individual contributions to the ANS Public Education Program. Entergy Charitable Foundation provided additional assistance.
