Today is April 25, 2012.  History note:  On April 26, 1986, the world’s worst nuclear accident (before the March 2012 disaster at Fukushima) occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the Soviet Union (now, Ukraine).  An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactive material into the atmosphere.  Winds carried the contamination over much of Europe, including Sweden, Finland and Belarus.  At least 31 people died immediately.  

6th Grade HW: on SPP, answer all questions with a circled number on the worksheet: "What is Air?"

7th Grade HW:  Answer Challenge Q, use at least 3 vocab words; copy Vocab definitions off of blog.
Challenge Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain?

Vocab: (write the vocab word in your Science notes & definitions in your Vocab section)

1) Earthquake - The release of energy in the form of waves that occurs

when large sub-surface masses of rock suddenly shift position.

2) Evidence - Information gained from direct observation or reliable sources

that can be used to form ideas about the world or to inform decision-making.

3) Nuclear Waste - Radioactive material that must be disposed because it is no longer useful.

4) Trade-off - Getting one thing at the cost of another; a balancing of factors, all of which are not attainable at the same time.

5) Volcano - A vent through which magma pours from below the earth’s surface, or erupts, on to the surface. The magma cools to form igneous rock that often builds up to make a volcanic cone or mountain.

6) Risk – The chance, probability, or likelihood that a certain action or event could result in something unfavorable, such as injury or death. Estimating risk is often based on whether a type of event has happened before in similar situations.  Risk analysis considers the type of risk, the frequency of the consequences, and the severity of the consequences, as well as the trade-offs involved (weigh level of risk against control, benefit/ severity of loss). Ex: sports increase risk of injury, but most people decide the risk is worth the benefits).  Most people prefer low levels of risk if they have little control or if the severity of consequences is great. Ex:storing nuclear waste.

Big Ideas:

• Making decisions about complex issues involves trade-offs. Ex: nuclear waste disposal.
• Identifying and evaluating relevant evidence is essential for thoughtful inquiry and good decision making.
• Risk analysis considers the type of risk, the frequency of the consequences, and the severity of the consequences