Since the advent of man's use of the atom, citizenship in America has required an informed electorate able to make rational decisions regarding nuclear issues. This unit aims to destroy complacency about the dangers of man-made radiation by increasing student awareness of the risks of radiation poisoning. John Hersey's Hiroshima is studied to learn about the destructive potential of nuclear energy. Lectures about radiation poisoning detail risks involved. A field trip to the National Atomic Museum and Internet exercises acquaint students with some of the beneficial uses of the atom.
Students derive a decision-making model.
Students learn to beware of hysteria that interferes with rational decision-making. Students are given an exercise that suggests they carefully assess and balance evidence regarding risks and benefits when dealing with nuclear issues. It is a multi-media inquiry into the people and events that led to the development of atomic America. Background information includes a side by side chronology of the development of the atomic bomb and political affairs from pre-World War II to the end of the Cold War. Videos, posters, and interactive web sites are some of the nonprint texts used within a new literacy framework aimed at furthering the goals of accessing, analyzing, evaluating and communicating a variety of messages.