New online resource to tackle radioactive waste management in the classroom
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The RADwaste Project [www.radwaste.lgfl.net], run by the London Grid for Learning (LGfL), uses some of the approaches and resources developed by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) and helps inform students about the ways industry experts manage the problem in the UK.
The RADwaste Project is available free to London schools via the LGfL portal and to all UK schools through the National Education Network (NEN). It combines both online and offline resources, many based around those used byCoRWM. These resources include online lesson plans, up to date news items regarding energy use, nuclear power and its impact on the environment and the unresolved issue of nuclear waste management. Video interviews with industry professionals are also available to help teach this challenging subject. Pilot schools involved in the project included South Camden Community College in Camden, Oaks Park School in Redbridge and Orleans Park School in Richmond.
David Mason, Content Manager from the LGfL, said: 'The RADwaste Project is such an exciting prospect for geography teachers. With input from real industry experts, the subject is really brought to life in the classroom. RADwaste will help students to explore the issues involved and the effects that radioactive waste has on the environment. It will also open up channels of communication encouraging discussion and debate between students and teachers.'
The RADwaste Project supports the DME (Decision Making Exercise), a key compulsory unit of GCSE geography.
The London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is a consortium of all 33 London Local Authorities. It provides fibre-based broadband access of 2-100 Mbps to all of London's schools. Connectivity is supplemented by providing managed services to schools, a learning platform that already meets the 2008 requirements, and by creating and enabling access to a wide range of educational content for ages 3-18. Savings of over £100 million have been achieved over a period of 4 years due to the aggregated procurement of such services by the LGfL on behalf of authorities and school.
The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) was set up in 2003 as an independent body appointed by Government Ministers in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, to provide independent advice to Government on the long-term management of the UK's solid higher activity radioactive waste. The terms of appointment of its current membership will expire in August 2007. CoRWM's main task was to review the options for managing the UK's radioactive waste and recommend the option, or combination of options, that can provide a long-term solution which protects people and the environment.
In July 2006, CoRWM provided its main recommendations to Government on the long-term management of radioactive waste. This followed over two years of investigation into the potential management options and an innovative programme of public and stakeholder engagement with associated technical work. The work was characterised by an approach that was open, transparent and inclusive of the views of all parties.
Related links to this article:
Committee on Radioactive Waste Management
www.radwaste.lgfl.net
London Grid for Learning
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