New Engineering Foundation
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Masterclasses - Introduction to Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power is relied on and used to generate the electricity used in homes and businesses. But despite its pretty astonishing safety record, nuclear power is considered generally by the public to be a 'bad thing'. This Masterclass will put the facts on the table and let you decide.

This Masterclass will be delivered by NPL's world class experts in nuclear energy. Some references will be from their 6 week course 'Protons for Breakfast'. This Masterclass will start by introducing you to nuclear power: what it is, where it's been and where it could potentially be going. Questions such as what is ionizing radiation and how does nuclear fission work will be answered. .

 
During the Masterclass you will engage in practical sessions such as measuring radioactivity and finding out what makes a nuclear power station tick. You'll be introduced to the Virtual Physical Laboratory and find out how the Lab can be used in the classroom

This Masterclass will take place at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, London.

Register for this Masterclass - available here

 

This Masterclass will look at answering such questions as:

  • Who discovered nuclear energy?
  • What are the dangers of nuclear power?
  • Is radiation in our everyday life?
  • Are the risks of nuclear power too great to be compensated for by any benefits?
  • If global warming is caused by carbon dioxide emissions, could nuclear power be the 'greenest' choice of energy?
  • What is the future for nuclear power?

Knowledge you will gain

An appreciation of nuclear energy
Opportunities and threats of nuclear power
How a power station works
New physical measurement techniques
Understanding of radiation
Future for nuclear power

The programme

9.45 - 10.00  Registration and coffee
10.00-10.30  Introduction to nuclear energy
10.30-11.20  Nuclear power, benefits, challenges and threats
11.20-12.05  Introduction to the Virtual Physical Laboratory
12.05-12.45  Techniques for measuring radioactivity
12.45-13.30  Lunch
13.30-14.30  Tour of National Physical Laboratories
14.30-15.30  Reflective learning on the day's sessions
15.30-16.00  Future for nuclear power

Good Links for Nuclear Power resources:

The Virtual Physical Laboratory (VPLab) 2 software contains over 180 interactive experiments for use by teachers and by pupils individually. It demonstrates physical principles and applications and is pitched at Physics GCSE, AS/A2 level, though the simulations may be of value at other academic levels.

www.protonsforbreakfast.com  contains extensive downloadable course materials.
www.npl.co.uk/vplab contains some of VPLAB as a taster.