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  4. Radiation Exposure

RadTown Radiation Exposure: Vocabulary Activities

Radiation Exposure Activity
Radiation Exposure Image

The concepts surrounding radiation can be complex. By conducting a vocabulary activity before beginning an activity or series of activities, students will have a shared base knowledge. This activity is intended for middle and high school students.

On this page:
  • Materials and Resources
  • Vocabulary by Activity
  • Activity Suggestions
  • Common Core State Standards
  • Printable Worksheets and Classroom Aids


Materials and Resources

  • RadTown Vocabulary Cards
  • RadTown Glossary Flash Cards
  • Materials noted in activity suggestions

Vocabulary by Activity

Activity 1: Types of Radiation
  • Atom
  • DNA
  • Electromagnetic spectrum
  • Gamma rays 
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Non-ionizing radiation
  • Radiation
  • X-rays
Activity 2: Sources of Annual Radiation Exposure
  • Cosmic radiation
  • Dose 
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Man-made radiation
  • Natural (background) radiation
  • Radiation 
  • Radon
  • Rem 
  • Terrestrial radiation 
Activity 3: Penetrating Powers of Ionizing Radiation
  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Direct exposure 
  • Exposure pathways
  • Gamma rays
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation
  • Ionizing radiation 
  • Radiation
  • Radiation exposure
  • Radiation protection 
  • Radioactive contamination
  • X-rays
Activity 4: Exposure Pathways
  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Direct exposure
  • Gamma rays
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation
  • Ionizing radiation 
  • Man-made radiation
  • Natural (background) radiation 
  • Radiation 
  • Radiation exposure 
  • Radiation protection 
  •  X-rays
Activity 5: Radiation Health Effects
  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Direct exposure
  • Gamma rays
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation 
  • Ionizing radiation 
  • Man-made radiation
  • Natural (background) radiation
  • Radiation
  • Radiation exposure 
  • X-rays
Activity 6: Acute versus Chronic Exposure
  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Direct exposure
  • Gamma rays
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation 
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Man-made radiation
  • Natural (background) radiation
  • Radiation
  • Radiation exposure
  • X-rays 
Activity 7: Radiation: Fact or Fiction?
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Radiation
  • Radiation exposure
  • Radioactive atom
  • Radioactive material

Activity Suggestions

Identifying images:

  • Print the applicable images from RadTown Vocabulary Cards.
  • Display the images around the room or spread them out in an open area on the floor.
  • Pronounce the vocabulary words one at a time. NOTE: You can provide the definition of the given word at this time or after students have identified the words.
  • Have students take turns identifying the words in an active manner. Suggestions include having students move to and identify the correct image, use a flashlight to point to the correct image (review safety rule: never shine the light in another person’s eyes), drive a remote control car to the correct image, or throw a bean bag to land on the correct image.
     

Matching words and images:

  • Print the applicable words and images from RadTown Vocabulary Cards.
  • Give each student a vocabulary word or image. Options: Fold or ball up the copies and let each student select one. Have students trade their copy with another student once or twice. NOTE: You may need an even number of participants.
  • Direct students to find the person with the matching word or image.
  • Review the matches to confirm they are correct.
  • Pronounce each word and provide a definition.
     

Spelling the words:

  • Print the applicable words and images from RadTown Vocabulary Cards.
  • Display the words and images.
  • Pronounce each word and provide a definition.
  • Conduct a spelling activity:
    • Have students create a word scramble or word find activity, trade papers and complete the activity.
    • Play spelling basketball. Divide the class into two teams. Pronounce a vocabulary word. Have a student (alternating between teams) spell or write the word on the board. Students that spell the word correctly are given an opportunity to shoot a basket (use a trash can) with a ball of paper (ball) from a designated distance (or varying distances for a different number of points). The team that scores the most points wins. You can have students provide a definition for extra points.
      ​

Creating definitions:

  • Print the applicable words and images from RadTown Vocabulary Cards.
  • Display the vocabulary words and images.
  • Pronounce the vocabulary words.
  • Have students work in pairs or small groups to hypothesize and create a definition for each vocabulary word.
  • Options:
    • Direct one student from each pair/group to rotate and join another pair/group or have two pairs/groups join together. Direct the newly formed groups to compare their definitions and modify them if desired.
    • Review each pair/group’s definitions, have students discuss what they agree/disagree with and share the accurate definition.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

The concepts in this activity align with the following CCSS English Language Arts Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.2 Key Ideas and Details 
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.4 Craft and Structure
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6-12.6 Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

Printable Worksheets and Classroom Aids

  • RadTown Vocabulary Cards 
  • RadTown Flash Cards

RadTown

  • Neighborhood
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      • Radioactive Material in Science Classrooms
      • Tritium in Exit Signs
    • House
      • Americium in Ionization Smoke Detectors
      • Microwave Ovens
      • Natural Radionuclides in Private Wells
      • Natural Radionuclides in Public Drinking Water
      • Radon in Homes, Schools and Buildings
    • Radiation in Medicine
      • Medical X-rays
      • Nuclear Medicine
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    • Electric and Magnetic Radiation
      • Electric and Magnetic Fields from Power Lines
      • Non-Ionizing Radiation From Wireless Technology
  • Outdoors
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      • Radiation and Shipping Port Security
      • Transportation of Radioactive Material
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      • Radioactively Contaminated Sites
  • Downtown
    • Radiation Science
      • Particle Accelerators
      • Radioactive Material Used in Research
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      • Mail Irradiation
      • Natural Radioactivity in Food
      • Radioactivity in Antiques
      • Radioactivity in Tobacco
      • Ultraviolet (UV) Tanning Equipment
    • Air Travel
      • Radiation and Airport Security Scanning
    • Emergency Response
      • Careers in Radiation Protection
      • Radiation Emergencies
  • Classroom Materials for Teachers
    • Radiation Protection
      • Teacher Information
      • Vocabulary Activities
      • Activity 1: History of Radiation Protection
      • Activity 2: Time, Distance and Shielding
      • Activity 3: Radiation Warning and Protection Equipment
      • Activity 4: Buildings as Shielding
      • Activity 5: A Career in Radiation Protection
      • Activity 6: Impact of Radiological Emergencies
      • Activity 7: Benefits of Radiation
    • The Radioactive Atom
      • Teacher Information
      • Vocabulary Activities
      • Activity 1: Atomic Discoveries
      • Activity 2: Atomic Math and Shorthand
      • Activity 3: Strong Nuclear Forces
      • Activity 4: Atomic Stability
      • Activity 5: Half-Life
      • Activity 6: Radioactive Decay Chain
    • Radiation Exposure
      • Teacher Information
      • Vocabulary Activities
      • Activity 1: Types of Radiation
      • Activity 2: Sources of Annual Radiation Exposure
      • Activity 3: Penetrating Powers of Ionizing Radiation
      • Activity 4: Exposure Pathways
      • Activity 5: Radiation Health Effects
      • Activity 6: Acute versus Chronic Exposure
    • Radon
      • Teacher Information
      • Vocabulary Activities
      • Activity 1: Ground Up
      • Activity 2: Radon Vacuum
      • Activity 3: Indoor Radon Levels
      • Activity 4: The Half-Life of Radon
    • Uranium
      • Teacher Information
      • Vocabulary Activities
      • Activity 1: Uranium, Radium and Radon
      • Activity 2: Radiation and Uranium Myths and Facts
      • Activity 3: Uranium Ore Sources in the U.S.
      • Activity 4: Uranium Mining Methods
      • Activity 5: Radiation Contamination and Exposure
      • Activity 6: Radiation Cleanup and Advocacy Objectives
  • A to Z Subject Index
  • Women in Radiation History
    • Lise Meitner
    • Chien-Shiung Wu
    • Rosalind Franklin
  • Glossary
Contact Us about RadTown
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Last updated on July 8, 2024
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