Results of a radioactive waste course for high school teachers
- Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (United States)
A week-long three-credit graduate-level course was taught in the summer of 1991 for high school science and social science teachers. Instruction was at the layperson's level, and no prior knowledge was presumed. The objectives of the course were to present factual information about radioactive waste, measure recipient's changes in perception about this topic, and measure the effect of the course on others. The technical half of the course involved discussions of basic nuclear physics, radiation control, biological effects of radiation, nuclear fuel cycle, waste management principles, Hanford waste issues, and transport of radioactive waste. The social half of the course included a discussion of values and attitudes, risk perception and communication, and public participation in a decision-making role-playing session. Discussions about radioactive-waste issues with high school teachers, especially of an extended nature such as discussed in this paper, are an effective tool because high school teachers are a critical link to reaching the next generation. Armed with facts presented in an open, nonconfrontational format, these teachers tend to become more understanding and accepting of radioactive-waste issues.
- OSTI ID:
- 7194843
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-920606--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 65; ISSN TANSA; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ACCIDENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COMMUNICATIONS
DECISION MAKING
EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
FUEL CYCLE
HANFORD RESERVATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PHYSICS
PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REACTOR PHYSICS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
TRANSPORT
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT