Grade Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Subject: Science & Technology
Duration: 1-2 class sessions (45-60 minutes each)
Tools: Adobe Express, projector, computers/tablets with internet access
Incorporating: Framatome, BWXT, and potential space applications
In this lesson, students will explore how nuclear reactors work, their current primary uses (including power generation and naval ships), and the potential future role of nuclear reactors in space exploration. The lesson will introduce Framatome and BWXT, two companies involved in nuclear technology. Students will use Adobe Express to create visual presentations summarizing the workings of nuclear reactors and their applications.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the basic components and function of a nuclear reactor.
Identify the primary uses of nuclear reactors, including in power plants and naval ships.
Understand the potential role of nuclear reactors in space travel.
Use Adobe Express to create a digital infographic or presentation that highlights nuclear energy's current and future uses, including the role of companies like Framatome and BWXT.
Computers or tablets with internet access
Adobe Express accounts (free version is sufficient)
Projector and screen for teacher demonstrations
Diagrams or slides with illustrations of nuclear reactors, ships, and space applications
Optional: Video clips explaining nuclear reactors, naval applications, and space missions
Introduction (10 minutes)
Hook: Begin with a thought-provoking question: "What kind of power can run submarines, aircraft carriers, and possibly even spaceships in the future?" Briefly explain that nuclear power is a powerful energy source used in many ways, including in ships and, potentially, in space exploration.
Learning Goals: Share that today’s lesson will explain how nuclear reactors work, their current uses (with a focus on ships and power plants), and their future in space travel. The lesson will also introduce two key companies, Framatome and BWXT, involved in nuclear technology.
Overview: Display a simple image or video showing how nuclear reactors work, providing a broad introduction to their structure and function.
Main Lesson: How a Nuclear Reactor Works (20 minutes)
Explanation:
Nuclear Fission: Introduce nuclear fission, the process where atoms like uranium split to release energy. This energy is harnessed in nuclear reactors.
Parts of a Nuclear Reactor:
Fuel Rods: Contain uranium or plutonium, the fuel for the fission reaction.
Control Rods: Absorb neutrons to control the reaction’s rate and prevent overheating.
Moderator: Slows down neutrons to sustain the fission process.
Coolant: Transfers heat generated by fission to a steam generator, which drives a turbine to create electricity.
Turbine and Generator: Convert steam into electricity, which powers homes, cities, or ships.
Example: Show a diagram or simple animation of how a nuclear power plant works to generate electricity.
Diagrams:
Display a diagram of a nuclear reactor, pointing out its key components and how they work together to generate power.
Uses of Nuclear Reactors (15 minutes)
Nuclear Power for Electricity:
Explain that nuclear reactors primarily produce electricity for homes, businesses, and factories. Companies like Framatome play a major role in designing and servicing nuclear power plants worldwide, helping to make energy production safer and more efficient.
Nuclear-Powered Ships:
BWXT: Introduce BWXT as a company that designs small nuclear reactors used to power ships, including submarines and aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy. Explain how nuclear power enables ships to travel long distances without refueling, allowing them to operate for months or even years at sea.
Discuss the advantages of nuclear-powered ships: longevity, efficiency, and the ability to operate in remote areas.
Nuclear Power in Space:
Current Uses: Talk about the use of nuclear power in space through RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators), which have powered missions like the Mars Curiosity rover.
Future Possibilities: Explain that nuclear fission reactors, like those being developed by companies such as BWXT, may one day power long-term space missions to the Moon or Mars, providing reliable energy for spacecraft and human habitats.
Activity: Creating an Infographic Using Adobe Express (30 minutes)
Introduction to Adobe Express:
Give a quick demo of Adobe Express, showing how to use templates, insert text, and add images or icons to create an infographic or presentation.
Explain that the students will use Adobe Express to create an infographic that explains the role of nuclear reactors on Earth and in space, and highlights companies like Framatome and BWXT that are advancing nuclear technology.
Instructions:
Students should include the following elements in their infographic:
How a Nuclear Reactor Works: Briefly explain the process of nuclear fission and describe the key parts of a reactor (e.g., fuel rods, control rods).
Uses of Nuclear Reactors on Earth: Include at least two uses (electricity generation and nuclear-powered ships). Mention companies like Framatome for power plants and BWXT for naval reactors.
Potential Use in Space: Explain how nuclear power could be used for space travel, focusing on future space missions that need reliable, long-term energy sources.
Adobe Express Features:
Encourage students to use icons, images, and diagrams to make their infographics visually appealing and easy to understand.
Show how to customize the layout, colors, and fonts to make the project creative and engaging.
Wrap-Up: Allow a few students to present their infographics, discussing how they represented the information and explaining the role of companies like Framatome and BWXT.
Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)
Class Discussion: Lead a discussion about the future potential of nuclear energy. Ask students, "Why might nuclear reactors be useful for long-term space exploration?" and "How are companies like Framatome and BWXT helping develop this technology?"
Review Key Takeaways: Summarize how nuclear reactors work, their current uses (including ships and power plants), and their potential role in future space missions.
Formative Assessment: Monitor student participation during class discussions and the diagram activity.
Summative Assessment: Evaluate the Adobe Express infographic based on creativity, accuracy, and inclusion of key concepts (how nuclear reactors work, their uses on Earth and in space, and the roles of Framatome and BWXT).
Videos (optional):
Short video on how nuclear reactors work.
Video on nuclear-powered ships like submarines or aircraft carriers.
NASA video or article on nuclear energy in space exploration.
Diagrams:
Handouts or slides showing the structure of nuclear reactors and how nuclear-powered ships work.
Research Project: Have students research the contributions of Framatome and BWXT to nuclear technology. They could create a short report or presentation on how these companies are advancing nuclear energy, focusing on either power plants or naval reactors.
This lesson allows students to explore nuclear technology in an engaging way, using Adobe Express to present complex concepts and make connections to real-world applications, including future space missions.
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You said:
Create a list of questions to ask engineers from BWXT who are visiting a middle school
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
General Questions About BWXT
What does BWXT do, and what are its main areas of focus in nuclear technology?
How did BWXT become involved in developing nuclear reactors for ships and submarines?
Can you explain how BWXT contributes to both the energy sector and national defense?
Nuclear Technology and Reactors
How do nuclear reactors work, and what are the key components that make them safe and efficient?
What kind of training or education is needed to work on nuclear reactors, like the ones BWXT builds for ships?
How long can a nuclear-powered submarine or aircraft carrier operate without needing to refuel, and why is nuclear energy so effective for these applications?
What are the biggest challenges in designing and maintaining nuclear reactors for military ships?
Nuclear Technology in Space
How is BWXT contributing to the development of nuclear reactors for space exploration?
What are some of the benefits of using nuclear energy for long-term space missions, like those to the Moon or Mars?
Are there any space missions that currently use nuclear power that BWXT has been involved with?
Safety and Innovation
How does BWXT ensure the safety of the nuclear reactors it builds, both on Earth and in space?
What kind of new technologies is BWXT working on in the field of nuclear power, and how might they change the way we generate energy in the future?
Careers and Opportunities
What inspired you to become an engineer, and what advice do you have for students interested in working in the nuclear energy field?
What kinds of internships or career opportunities does BWXT offer for students interested in science, technology, and engineering?
What subjects in school are most important if we want to pursue a career in nuclear engineering or another related field?
Environmental Impact and Future of Nuclear Energy
How does nuclear energy compare to other forms of energy, such as wind or solar, in terms of environmental impact?
How do you think nuclear energy will change in the future? What role might BWXT play in these changes?
Are there any plans to make nuclear reactors more environmentally friendly or to use nuclear technology to address global energy needs?
These questions will engage students with the visiting engineers and help them understand both the technical and real-world applications of nuclear technology, as well as career opportunities in the field.