Teacher Resources
Museum Education Staff
The Museum’s Education Department is staffed with professionals with years of experience in all levels of education and in multiple areas of curriculum. If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, one of our educators may be able to help you.
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History feels the following resources are beneficial and would like to provide a service to teachers but does not endorse any of the sites.
General Science
NBC Learn EL, MS
NBC Learn offers excellent free resources on energy as well as other subjects and especially current events stories. It also offers the opportunity to purchase programs.
Energy
National Energy Education Development Program EL, MS, HS, T
An excellent resource for teaching students about all types of energy. Check out their Teacher Professional Development offerings in your area!
Energy Education EL, MS, HS
This Department of Energy site teaches your students the importance of green energy while enhancing your required curriculum. Here you'll find many creative lesson plans, labs, projects, and other activities for grades K-12 on energy-related topics. Incorporate them into your classroom. Prepare your students for a greener future!
Chemistry
Chem4Kids EL, MS
This site teaches kids about the atom basics.
The Periodic Table of Comic Books MS, HS
This is a periodic table of comic books, which also houses information on which comics involve which elements.
Web Elements MS, HS
An interesting interactive periodic table with more detailed information.
The Harnessed Atom, MS, HS
The Harnessed Atom is a comprehensive middle school resource that provides students and teachers with an accurate and unbiased learning guide about nuclear energy.
The Harnessed Atom – Student's Guide reviews the basic scientific principles that underlie nuclear energy and focuses on atoms, radiation, the technology of our number two source of electricity, and issues concerning nuclear energy.
The Harnessed Atom – Teacher's Guide contains suggestions for using the materials and is designed to help teachers in scheduling and planning lessons that teach concepts and develop basic skills. Included in the book are discussion questions, answers to review exercises, a list of materials, and a list of additional resources.
Nuclear Science
ABC’s of Nuclear Science MS, HS
This is a detailed description of Nuclear Structure even though it’s called basic nuclear science. Written primarily for high school students, it does include activities and information for all grade levels.
American Nuclear Society
This is an interesting chart that helps determine your annual personal background radiation dose from the American Nuclear Society. Browse the website for more useful information.
NASA - Electromagnetic Spectrum MS, HS
This NASA site looks at the various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Idaho State University - Radiation & Risk
This is a really good resource about Radiation and Risk. After calculating your annual radiation dose visit this page to learn more about those numbers.
U.S. EPA MS, HS
This US Environmental Protection Agency provides an online calculator for determining your annual average dose of radiation from natural and man-made sources. This is a perfect experiment for your computer lab.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission MS, HS
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission site with good information on nuclear energy and radiation.
How Nuclear Power Works "howstuffworks.com: MS, HS
Sections on nuclear fission as well as the inside of a nuclear power plant.
RadWaste.org - Teacher’s Corner T
This site discusses the need to try and get a balanced view of information and resources concerning nuclear science. It provides a wealth of links for teachers to explore.
Nuclear Wall Chart HS
The Nuclear Science Division together with CPEP (the Contemporary Physics Education Project) have produced the Nuclear Science Wall Chart. You can order classroom materials and request reproduction rights for printed materials.
Library of Congress Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues
Nuclear weapons and nuclear power have greatly influenced history from 1945 to the present. This digital library provides an annotated bibliography of over 2,700 books, articles, films, CDs, and websites about a broad range of nuclear issues. A project of the National Science Digital Library.
Atomic History/Nuclear Proliferation
IAEA MS, HS
The International Atomic Energy Agency site provides information about educational opportunities for youth from all countries. The school session uses international lecturers to provide information about topics including: nuclear power; nuclear fuel cycle and waste management; energy planning, economics and finance; nuclear safety, nuclear law, international conventions and relevant mechanisms; as well as nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards.
History of the Atomic Bomb MS, HS
This site explores the complex history surrounding the invention of the atomic bomb.
Beyond the Classroom: Activities that can be done at home
View our growing archive of learning activities that can be done at home, covering a variety of topics.