Nuclear Chemistry Project

Goal:

Build a Website that gives your opinion as to whether nuclear chemistry is good or bad

Tasks

DAY 1:
1. Brainstorm a list of impotant uses of nuclear chemistry. (your book is a good resource). These should include
   • Uses of the energy produced
   • Uses of the particles created by nuclear reactions
   • Other uses of radioactivity
2. Assign each group member a set of uses to research. Find the pros and cons of each use.
   
   DAY 2:
3. Read through each other's notes and create a master list of pros and cons
4. Form a group consensus as to whether nuclear chemistry is good or bad
5. Create a website that explains your position and persuades others to take your side.

Scoring:

• Website includes the following
  • an opinion as to whether or not nuclear chemistry is good/bad
  • opinion is defended with at least 5 examples (including how they work) (35)
  • at least 3 non-supportive arguments are addressed (15)
• Group members stayed on task during class (10)
• Group members came to class prepared with research/completed packet (10)
• Notes turned in by each group member, including master list of pros and cons (20)
• Clarity, easy to follow, organized, mechanics (10)

Resources:

• ThinkQuest: Nuclear Energy (has pros, cons, links to info about weapons etc.)
• HyperPhysics
• The Particle Adventure
• Nuclear Energy Institute
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Natural Resource Defense Council
• How nuclear power works
• Chernobyl Accident
• 3-Mile Island Accident