Lesson plan

Lesson Plan: Understanding the Science of Atomic Explosions

Grades 7-12

During the 1940s and 1950s, U.S. service members were exposed to radiation from atomic weapons tests at a time when its health risks were not fully understood. Decades later, many veterans continued to seek recognition and compensation for illnesses linked to that exposure. In this lesson, students examine how foundational scientific principles can be used to explain observable phenomena and assess the long-term effects of radiation.