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Description: Radon: Does it present a possible health problem
in the communities of Oak Park and River
Forest?
The purpose of this project is for the students to determine if Radon poses
a potential problem in their homes. They will determine how radioactive
Radon can present a problem, how is it produced, how can its presence be
tested.
Subject:Chemistry - Radioactivity Unit
Grade Level: 10/11/12
Learner Description:
1. Student will learn about radioactive decay, half life, Uranium's decay series. They will need to study Radon's characteristics as well as its decay products and their half lives.
2. Research will need to be done on
a. various tests available for radon and its decay products.
b. immediate health effects of the types of radiation given off by radon and its decay products
c. long term health effects of radiation given off by radon and its decay products
Time Frame: 3 weeks
Learner Outcomes:
1. Student will be able to explain radioactivity, decay, half life, radon's decay products and their effect on health.
2. Students will be aware of all tests available for radon or its decay products.
3. Students will be aware of radon tests run in other communities and their results. They should be aware of health data in the homes of those communities that had lighter concentrations of radon.
4. Students will prepare information sheets and questionnaires to be given to residents of houses being tested.
5. Students will conduct tests on a sample of homes in the Oak Park/River Forest area and determine how much is present in the homes
6 Using the information gathered the student will determine if the amount of radon found if the survey poses a problem.
7.Students will create a web page describing their study and how it compared with their "sister" school.
8. Students will create an article to be submitted to a local paper. This describes their findings and lists suggestions of any measures that should be taken