Get to Know Nuclear Science with Free Resources

by Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, President of the American Nuclear Society
Oct 21, 2020 6:05 PM ET

In the United States, about 20% of electricity comes from nuclear power. But applications of the power of the nucleus are so much more than electricity: from cutting-edge cancer therapies and food security to space travel and ancient discoveries, nuclear science helps build our world.

Now, students of all ages can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the world’s most important industries from Navigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World™ – a program from the American Nuclear Society and Discovery Education; and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy. Explore the all-new suite of elementary resources that start a lifetime of learning and connect directly to the engaging middle and high school resources already available.

Kick off fun STEM learning during National Nuclear Science Week – October 19-23 – by trying out a new resource with your students! No matter the grade level, guide your students through the world of nuclear energy and related fields with digital lesson plans, project starters, career resources, and more to power up the learning for wherever learning is taking place.

  • ALL NEW Elementary School Content
    Introduce young minds to the wide world of nuclear science with thoughtful activities making atoms fun and igniting curiosity about energy.

  • Creative Middle School Resources
    From standards-aligned lesson plans about the impacts of energy and radiation to project-based learning activities sparking STEM problem-solving, these middle school resources give teachers and students what they need to learn about nuclear science.  

  • Thought-Provoking High School Materials
    Explore the vast world of nuclear science with your students to uncover the diverse applications of this field and debunk some common misconceptions. Going beyond fission and fusion, students learn key nuclear science concepts while developing invaluable STEM skills.

Meet global leaders. Jobs abound in the field of nuclear energy and other related fields, blossoming from unexpected pathways and in disciplines you might not think of when you think nuclear science. Extend discussions around STEM applications beyond the classroom with the real-world professionals in nuclear-related careers and the impacts they are having on their communities and the world at large.

Discover STEM innovation and travel the globe without leaving home. Journey to the leading nuclear research facility in the country, Idaho National Laboratory, in this Virtual Field Trip. Step inside a nuclear reactor, explore unexpected careers in nuclear science, and see what the future may hold thanks to advances in nuclear capabilities.

Take advantage of a huge selection of additional standards-aligned, ready-to-use Navigating Nuclear resources to inspire middle, high school, and elementary students throughout National Nuclear Science Week. For Discovery Education Experience users, keep the discovery going with curated channels, like the Corporate Education Partnerships channel and the Navigating Nuclear channel, that are focused on the wide-world of STEM and energy.