Radiation in the Environment

This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP). Radiation is all around us and is part of our everyday life. Much of the radiation that bombards us comes from natural sources, though we are now subject to additional levels as a result of technological advances. This booklet focuses on a scientific understanding of the effects of radioactivity and microwave radiation, and on interpreting media reporting and people’s attitudes towards these issues. The resources also include data on background radiation collected by schools across the UK.

The Radiation in the Environment booklet contains an illustrated overview of the topic with suggestions for teachers on how to introduce the ideas in the classroom, plus student activity sheets and notes for teachers and technicians.
The downloadable resources include:
• Student activities: zip files containing the activity sheets in PDF and editable Word formats.
• Computer spreadsheets to be used with the activities.
• Further resources includes the SEP National Radiation Survey, with background radiation data collected by teachers and students across the UK.

The ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ publications are supported by low-cost practical resources available from Mindsets:
• SEP publications and resources from Mindsets
• Practical resources for Radiation in the Environment

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx4g8