Radioactivity iLab
Photocredits: University of Queensland, Australia
Radioactivity iLab Curricula
All High School Versions
In the Radioactivity iLab, students explore how radioactive radiation changes as a function of distance. Below are all of the high school curricula that can be used to teach the Radioactivity iLab in different subject areas.
Curricula are available for the following subject areas:
PHYSICS
AP PHYSICS
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
MATH
Cell Phone Radiation: How Close is Too Close?
Primary Course: Introductory Physics
Grade Level: 8 - 12
Driving Question: Am I frying my brain with my cell phone?
Description: This curriculum sets the Radioactivity iLab in the context of cell phone radiation, and asks students to think about the risk of using cell phones at close proximities to their bodies. Before the lab, students learn about cell phone radiation and potential associated health risks, and think about whether the intensity of radiation changes with distance. In the lab activities, students conduct the Radioactivity iLab, perform analyses, discuss results with classmates, and run the lab a second time with an informed experimental design. After the lab, students draw connections between the scientific data they collected and the real-world problem of cell phone radiation.
Has been taught in: Intro/Honors Physics, AP Physics, Intro/Honors Chemistry, AP Biology, Integrated Science, Physical Science, Nuclear Physics, Integrated Math, Pre-Calculus, Environmental Science
Author: Julia Barnathan Skolnik, MSEd, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Advanced Research Methods Using Real Radioactivity Data
Primary Course: AP Physics
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Driving Question: In a highly complex and diverse universe, why do numerous phenomena behave the same in mathematical terms?
Description: This curriculum is organized into 5 modules. The first module is a more concise and advanced version of the cell phone radiation curriculum (above). The latter four modules explore error analysis, writing a research proposal, and understanding iLab engineering and technology.
Author: Mark Vondracek, PhD, Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL
Radiation and Cancer: Cure or Cause?
Primary Course: Biology
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Driving Question: Does radiation harm or help us?
Description: In this curriculum, students learn about radiation as therapy for cancer, but also as a cause for cancer.
Author: Beth Christiansen, PhD, Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL
Investigating the Safety of Nuclear Energy Using Real Radioactivity Data
Primary Course: Chemistry
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Driving Question: How safe is it to live next to a nuclear reactor?
Description: In this curriculum, students investigate nuclear energy, storage of nuclear waste, and the controversy surrounding using nuclear power as a source of energy for our country.
Author: David Chan, Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL
Mathematical Modeling Using Real Radioactivity Data
Primary Courses: Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Driving Question: What type of mathematical function governs the intensity of radiation over distance?
Description: In this curriculum, students study families of functions and mathematical modeling, using the Radioactivity iLab to collect authentic data as a way to represent an inverse square relationship.
Author: James Klock, Wells Community Academy High School, Chicago, IL
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Professional Development for Teachers:
If you are interested in signing up for an online professional development session to be trained in teaching the Radioactivity iLab, email us at
ilab-info@sesp.northwestern.edu
The iLab Network is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under grant OCI-0753324. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations are those of the investigators and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.