Our Radioactive Backyard: Discovering the History and Culture of the Santa Susana Field Lab

GeoHistory
GeoLiteracy
GeoSTEM
ELL
Lesson Plan Content
Description: 
In this lesson, students will learn about the history of the Santa Susana Field Lab and the nuclear meltdown that occurred there. They will also learn about the history of the Chumash caves in the area. Students will then take a stance on the relevant issues and create a persuasive letter. This lesson contains adaptations for diverse learners (ELLs).
Author: 
Ruth Luevanos
Grade Range: 
High School
Duration: 
3 class periods
Lesson Materials
Teacher Instructions: 
application/pdf iconTeacher Instructions
Student Materials: 
application/pdf iconStudent Worksheets, Assessments, and Answer Keys
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation iconOur Radioactive Backyard PowerPoint
application/pdf iconOur Radioactive Backyard: Civic Engagement Component
Materials to Assist Teachers and English Language Learners: 
application/pdf iconVocabulary Cards
application/pdf iconVocabulary Test
application/pdf iconPersuasive Letter Template
Standards
National Geography Standards: 
1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information
4: The physical and human characteristics of places
17: How to apply geography to interpret the past