Cheaper and cleaner nuclear power plants were invented 50 years ago in the United States, yet the first to be built are in China. The video explains how these nuclear power plants work. They run on thorium, which is common and more stable than uranium. It also offers the timeline of when scientists invented this technology and why it hasn't been used in the United States.

Concepts

alternative energy sources, nuclear energy, radiation

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Read about the progress China is making with their reactors
• Discuss or debate the role federal science funding plays in developing new technologies

Classroom Considerations

• The video best fits with a discussion of nuclear power and alternative energy sources

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Provides closed captioning for easier note taking
• Currently, the public comment section offers discussions of concepts, explanations for misunderstandings, and updated research links which help expand on the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4