Naturally Nuclear

Learn about natural nuclear and human-made nuclear reactors by making hand warmers! Model nuclear energy release and radioactive decay and half-lives with this symbol experiment. Analyze the pros and cons of nuclear power.

This Launch level kit includes a full-color student workbook and a detailed teacher guide, with step-by-step instructions for both hands-on and reading-based activities designed to engage students in nuclear reactions. Both teacher and student will be able to open the box and start within minutes, and the kit will provide over 15 hours of engaging learning.

In this kit, the student will engage in these hands-on learning experiences:

• Learn about the Oklo Mine, a natural nuclear reactor.
• Compare the energy released by chemical and nuclear reactions by making a handwarmer.
• Explore radioactivity on a particle level by making a pop-bead model.
• Learn about half-lives and how they are used by simulating nuclear decay.
• Consider the pros and cons of using nuclear reactions.

Use the Naturally Nuclear kit to answer questions such as:

• What happens in a nuclear reactor?
• What happens at a particle level during radioactive processes?
• How are half-lives used to determine the ages of objects?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactions?

Your student is ready for this kit when:

• They have written equations for chemical reactions.
• They are familiar with atomic structure and subatomic particles.
• They have been introduced to different types of energy.

The following are Science Unlocked kits we suggest your student has completed prior to doing this kit:

• Contain Your Excitement
• Fizz, Foam, Fire!
• Warm and Bright

Naturally Nuclear kit is a part of the Science Unlocked Launch series and is recommended middle and high school students in grades 8-12.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Student Workbook Sample and Teacher Guide Sample!  

More Information

• Safety Information (SDS)

• 1 Marker
• 1 Iron Filings
• 32 Mini Poker Chips
• 1 Periodic Table
• 1 Beaker 
• 1 Plastic Graduated Cup
• 36 White Pop Beads
• 1 Safety Glasses
• 10 Salt Packets
• 1 Thermometer
• 1 Water Gel Powder
• 1 Zip-close Bag, 3 x 5 inches
• 1 Zip-close Bag, 4 x 6 inches

Other items needed:

• Watch or clock with second hand (or smartphone with a stopwatch app)
• Water

• Learning outcome: Make hand warmers to compare energy released by chemical and nuclear reactions, and use models of radioactive decay to learn about natural and human-made nuclear reactors
• NGSS science standards alignment
• HS-PS1-4 Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
• HS-PS1-8 Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.