Introduction

Who can you believe? In the Media (paper, radio,TV) and on the web everyone presents information as if it is fact when in reality it is often just opinion. It is vital that we learn to read critically and to understand the other persons point of view.

You're going to use the Web to look critically at a number of popular viewpoints about storage of Nuclear waste. Simpy grabbing someone else's ideas without giving them a close look is worse than silly. Think of it as intellectual stupidity. So let's wise up!

As a group you're going to explore the topic of Nuclear Waste. Each member of your team will take on the role of one person interested in the storage of Nuclear waste. Then you'll have to come back together to answer a question that gets to the heart of 'what's the truth and who says so?'

We want you to do a good job, so why not read the evaluation rubric for this WebQuest?

The Question

The main question you will be asked to find an answer for is:

What should we do with our Nuclear Waste?

Background Information

Before becoming an expert on one aspect of this topic, we'd better make sure that everyone on your WebQuest team knows the basics. Use the link below to answer three general questions:

Why is nuclear material dangerous?
What are some of the ways Nuclear Waste can be stored?
Who is responsible for disposing of Nuclear Waste?

As you look at the sies listed below think about who the authors might be and whether this would affect their information

Uranium Hexaflouride

What is Nuclear Waste

A pdf file

Canada Nuclear Association - Kids Zone

Video: Nuclear Power - The reality

Produced by Canada Nuclear Association

Hyphen-Man's Nuclear Waste Site

Cartoon: Nuclear Waste

Cartoon: Moving Nuclear Waste

Cartoon: Waste Dump notice

Nuclear Power Hotlist

Individual Roles

Now that you have some overall background knowledge, it's time to return to the main question for this WebQuest. Questions this big and important are better answered when a few people are working on it at one time. Things work even better when a group of you decide to look at the question from different perspectives. This way team members can become experts on different aspects of the question and then come together to poll their learning. This is where team work pays off. So are you ready to divide and conquer this question?

Federal Politician

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) Where is the nuclear waste material stored at the moment?

2) Why is the current chosen site the preferred option?

3) What is the Australian government's attitude to other countries storing waste here?

Government prepares way for dump

Australia will not accept waste

Media Release

Nuclear Waste

Newspaper article

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

Environmentalist

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) What are the specific concerns for the environment ?

2) What long term concerns are there if a low level dump is built?

Safer spent fuel storage

Greenpeace site

Laborâs No Nuclear Dumps Policy

No Nuclear Waste Dump

Australian Peace Committee

Jim Green nuclear and environmental research

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

Scientist

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) Where is most of the nuclear waste coming from?

2) Is low level waste really a hazard?

Waste Management in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Uranium Information Centre

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

State Politician

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) Why do we not want a dump built in our state?

2) What powers do states have to prevent the federal government from acquiring land?

Mutton's nuclear facts 'false'

Misinformation

The Nuclear Waste Storage Prohibition Act 1999

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

Group Synthesis

Congratulations! Your team is now full of expertise. Each person (or pair) on your team have become experts on the topic of Nuclear Waste. You've all learned a lot of information. But guess what, gathering useful information isn't the same as truly understanding a topic. What experts in the field of learning suggest is that you now use that information in a new and challenging way. Then you'll really know about this topic.

So with your team members all gathered together, carefully read and try answering the main question for this WebQuest. See where you all agree and where differences arise.

Write a letter to your State and Federal Members of Parliament recommending a n approach to Nuclear waste disposal that takes into account all of the views of groups roles.

Under what circumstances would your group be willing to support the development of a waste dump if it meant benefits for your local community?

Council demands highway work

Relationship Between Society and the Disposal of Radioactive Waste

An exploration of NIMBY

Nuclear Regulation Websites

Federal Members List

Phone, fax and email addresses

South Australian Members List

Web sites and email addresses

Writing Persuasive Essays

Persuasive Argument Essay

Tips on how to do it

Real World Feedback:

Conclusion

At the beginning of this activity, you were asked about the truth. Did you discover it? Was there only one? Did everyone on your team think so? How did you answer the main question for this WebQuest? Have you checked the evaluation rubric to guide what you did?

You deserve a lot of praise for all the work you've done. And so does your brain. You've sure put that gray stuff to the test. You gained background information, developed expertise in one particular area and got into some pretty expert analysis. At times, you must have felt confused with ideas spinning every which way. That's normal when you're building new mental connections. It's funny, with each link between what you already knew and the new learning going on, you broke another different kind of link, remember the intellectual slavery we spoke about earlier? You're free! How will you use these ideas and strategies as you continue to grow and learn? It's all up to you. Good luck.

created by Peter Chambers email: peter.chambers@mvhs.sa.edu.au http://www.web-and-flow.com/members/pchamber/topic2/webquest.htm