Article
Other

Nuclear Weapon Archive: Iraq's Nuclear Weapons Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the development of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Program from its inception in the late 1950s to the emergence of Saddam Hussein and the implementation of his nuclear weapon policy. (2001)
Unit Plan
Other

Nuclear Threat Initiative: Nuclear 101: Nuclear Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive tutorial helps with understanding nuclear weapons, the different types, how they are different from conventional weapons, and how many countries have developed them.
Article
Nobel Media AB

The Nobel Prize: The Development and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about how the atomic bomb was first developed, starting the nuclear arms race. As nuclear weapons proliferated, so did apprehension. A Non-Proliferation Treaty was released in 1968, and governments began to sign on to it. Green...
Website
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson Plan Controlling Nuclear Weapons

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site on controlling nuclear weapons will cover three to four 50 minute periods on the topic. Students will review the Nonproliferation Treaty and discuss questions such as: are there countries that should not be allowed to have...
Handout
US Energy Information Administration

U.s. Eia Energy Kids: Timelines: Nuclear Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Timeline of key events in the development of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, including early scientific discoveries related to atomic science.
Website
US Department of State

Congressional Research Svc: Iran's Nuclear Program: Recent Developments [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
In this Congressional Research Service report published in 2003, Sharon Squassoni provides a brief overview of Iran's Nuclear Program and discusses the implications of a nuclear weapons program in Iran.
Website
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Race for the Superbomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the Cold War race to develop the hydrogen bomb, a weapon that would change the world. Content details all the people who were involved in the race for the H-Bomb, as well as notable events during this time period....
Website
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory: The Graphite Reactor

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource describes the world's first nuclear reactor and the role which it played in the Manhattan Project. Also discussed are topics such as the goal of plutonium development for nuclear weapons, the goals of the top-secret,...
Website
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Forties: War and Peace

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the design of the first nuclear reactor by Enrico Fermi and his successful development of a self-ustaining nuclear chain reaction. Describes the evolution of the Manhattan Project and their race to develop the first atomic...
Website
Stanford University

Stanford Report: Edward Teller, Father of Hydrogen Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Students don't generally learn much about Edward Teller in school. But with the progress in science in the 20th century, maybe they should. Edward Teller was one of the main architects of the hydrogen bomb. This is a great site by...
Website
NBC

Msnbc: Iran Recommits to Nuclear Arms

For Students 9th - 10th
Report on Iran's commitment to a nuclear arms control treaty insisting that they be allowed to pursue a nuclear program for peaceful purposes. The US and allies believe Iran is developing atomic weapons. Of particular interest is the...
Primary
Atomic Archive

Atomic Archive: Developing the Hydrogen Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Links to seven different documents regarding the hydrogen bomb and its development during the Cold War. Excellent resource.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Manhattan Project of the United States which worked on developing nuclear weapons during World War II. It led to the two atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in August 1945, ending the war with Japan.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: J. Robert Oppenheimer

For Students 9th - 10th
Credited with the creation of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb. Read about Oppenheimer's education and involvement in the atomic explosions, which "changed the world forever."
Article
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: The Origins of the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy lecture-format page with key points of the development and emergence of the Cold War. Includes many useful links within the content.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Atomic Bomb Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses lost nuclear weapons, the power of an atomic bomb, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the development of the atomic bomb, the making of the hydrogen bomb, the detonation of a hydrogen bomb by Russia in 1961, and the status...
Website
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: The Manhattan Project

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive overview of the Manhattan Project, a research and development project initiated by President Roosevelt to produce nuclear weapons in World War II.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Splitting the Atom

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a brief history of the discovery and application of atomic and nuclear energy - both military and peaceful. It follows the spread of nuclear development among the major world players of the 20th century. Great site for...
Article
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Who Built the H Bomb? Debate Revives

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from "The New York Times" at Nuclearfiles.org recounts the ongoing debate about the first hydrgen bomb and who truly should be credited with its development.
Handout
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Carl David Anderson

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Nuclearfiles.org contains a brief biography of Carl Anderson (1905-1991 CE), mentioning his involvement (or lack thereof) with nuclear weapons development.
Website
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Truman and the Atom Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Read background information about Harry Truman and the development of the atomic bomb prior to his presidency. Includes excerpts from official documents and conversations during the Truman Administration.
Handout
Upper Canada District School Board

Tom Stretton's Chemistry Pages: The Story of the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is the story of the first ever atomic bomb, beginning with early scientific ideas, leading up to the success of this weapon.
Article
Other

Ellsworth american.com: Antiballistic Missiles

For Students 9th - 10th
The article on antiballistic missiles primarily only discusses how Congress has approved their development under Reagan's "Star Wars" plan.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Washington (State): B Reactor

For Students 9th - 10th
The B-Reactor at Hanford Site, Washington, was the first large scale plutonium production reactor ever built. The project was commissioned under the Manhattan Project, during World War II, to develop the first nuclear weapons.