Radioactive sources in secondary education

Part of the science class is learning about the creation and operation of the various types of radioactivity, by using an alpha, beta, and gamma source. In a lab the difference of the 3 types can be demonstrated. The students will have to do a test where they must find out what material can be used to shield off different sources. An alpha source can be shielded off by a sheet of paper, a beta source by a piece of plastic and a gamma source by a piece of lead.

Many schools have a license to work with these different sources. Additionally, the amanuensis (school assistant) has to have a diploma radiation expert level 5. A school must also be careful that the students, often minors do not get too much dose from the tests. The ALARA principle should always be applied but the students have more proliferating cells than an adult and are therefore susceptible to the adverse effects of radiation therefore the dose limit for students is lower than for adults.

We can help the schools that don’t have a license by providing these particular lessons for them.