This video will help students understand what nuclear energy is, the difference between fission and fusion, and the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear energy.
It is accompanied by a series of of discussion question designed to engage students in the debate and is supplemented by an activity, Nuclear Energy: What's Your Reaction? in which students must decide whether or not they support the building of a nuclear power plant in their community.
The video is intended as an introductory activity and should be followed by further student exploration. The core issue raised is what role should nuclear energy play in meeting our energy needs given the growing concern for climate change caused by fossil fuels. The issue is addressed in Social Studies courses (particularly Geography) in those units dealing with our use of natural resources and human impacts on earth's systems. It is also relevant for Science and Environmental Science courses that explore issues related to science, technology and the environment.
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