Nuclear waste and storage/disposal:

The problems that our future generations face

Sandy Liotta

IS 62

Email: sancoh9@aol.com

Introduction:

It was believed in the past that nuclear waste could simply be contained, recycled or buried. Current knowledge about nuclear waste and radioactivity has proven its disposal and containment to be far more difficult than once thought.

Task:

You will work in groups of four to create and present a PowerPoint to classmates to teach them about 2 different methods used for storing/disposing nuclear waste. You will research methods of nuclear waste storage/disposal and educate your peers about the methods you have researched. You will include an explanation of the benefits/problems for each of the two methods in your PowerPoint. Your group will complete and use the PPA worksheets in your PowerPoint for your pages to define the problem, gather evidence (information found from research of two types of nuclear waste disposal), identify the causes of the problem (include a benefit as well as a problem with each storage/disposal method), evaluate existing policies, create one new policy/solution, describe why your solution will be better than an existing policy.

Process/resources:

Your group will use the PPA process to work on this presentation. You will use the website resources found below the PPA worksheets to help do your research and then complete the worksheets and PowerPoint. Each worksheet for the steps of the PPA process can be clicked on below and should be completed in the order they are listed:

1. defining the problem,

2. gathering the evidence,

3. identifying the causes of the problem,

4. evaluating the existing policies,

5. creating 3 new policies or solutions (one new policy is mandatory but your group can include up to three)

6. choosing the best solution (describe why your solution is better than an existing policy)

Website Resources:

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_waste

· http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/nuclear_waste_storage/nuclear_waste_storage.html

· http://environment.about.com/od/nuclearenergywaste/Environmental_Issues_Nuclear_Energy_Nuclear_Waste.htm

· http://www.nirs.org/factsheets/fctsht.htm/

· http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-methods-of-nuclear-waste-disposal.htm

· http://www.nei.org/keyissues/nuclearwastedisposal/

· http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Nuclear-Wastes/Radioactive-Waste-Management/

Evaluation:

ELEMENT	Exemplary	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Unsatisfactory	POINTS
PPA worksheets	3 points Group completed each PPA worksheet and included the content of the worksheets in their PowerPoint presentations.	2 points Group completed all of the PPA worksheets but did not include all of the content of the PPA worksheets in their PowerPoint.	1 point Group did not complete all of the PPA worksheets and did not include the content of the PPA worksheets in their PowerPoint.	0 points Group did not complete the PPA worksheets and did not include the content of the PPA worksheets in their PowerPoint.	___/3
Content	3 points The content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Information is accurate, current and comes mainly from * primary sources.	2 points The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Includes persuasive information from reliable sources.	1 point The content is vague in conveying a point of view and does not create a strong sense of purpose. Includes some persuasive information with few facts. Some of the information may not seem to fit. Sources used appear unreliable.	0 points The content lacks a clear point of view and logical sequence of information. Includes little persuasive information and only one or two facts about the topic. Information is incomplete, out of date and/or incorrect. Sequencing of ideas is unclear.	___/3
Layout	3 points The layout is visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with appropriate use of headings, subheadings and white space.	2 points The layout uses horizontal and vertical white space appropriately.	1 point The layout shows some structure, but appears cluttered and busy or distracting with large gaps of white space or uses a distracting background.	0 points The layout is cluttered, confusing, and does not use spacing, headings and subheadings to enhance the readability.	___/3
Citations	3 point Sources of information are properly cited and the audience can determine the credibility and authority of the information presented. All sources of information are clearly identified and credited using appropriate citation format.	2 points Most sources of information use proper citation format, and sources are documented to make it possible to check on the accuracy of information.	1 point Sometimes copyright guidelines are followed and some information, photos and graphics do not include proper citation format.	0 points No way to check validity of information.	___/3
Writing Mechanics	3 points The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.	2 points The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.	1 point Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability. (3 or more errors)	0 points Errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage and grammar repeatedly distract the reader and major editing and revision is required. (more than 5 errors)	___/3
Group Presentation	Students maintain eye contact with audience, seldom returning to notes. Students use a clear voice so that all audience members can hear presentation.	Students maintain eye contact most of the time but frequently return to notes. Students’ voices are clear. Most audience members can hear presentation.	Students occasionally use eye contact, but still read most of report. Students’ voices are low. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation.	Students read all of report with no eye contact. Students mumble/ speak too quietly for students in the back of class to hear.	___/3
TOTAL POINTS					___ /18

Conclusion:

Given what you have learned about nuclear waste storage and disposal, do you believe that there are things we could do as a society or you can do as an individual to help decrease the need for nuclear power?

Standards:

Writing Standards 6–12

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.