Introduction

1. A DVD and Instructional Materials on Basic Neutron Activation and Radioactive Decay Experiments for High Schools and Introductory Physics Courses Steven C. Sahyun University of Wisconsin - Whitewater  n Ag110 Ag109 Introduction This poster describes an instructional DVD video and laboratory manual to aid high school and introductory physics teachers on the concepts of neutron activation and radioactive decay by providing a ready-to-use set of pre-recorded experiments, data from the experiments, and supporting material. The DVD was created to address the removal of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s PuBe “Neutron Howitzer” source. With the impending loss of this source, we would be unable to perform a traditional introductory laboratory activity. A video recording of this popular laboratory was made and a virtual laboratory created. These experiments also offer a unique opportunity for students in institutions such as high schools or small colleges where a neutron source would be impractical or impossible to maintain. In the event that others will find this material useful, a manual is under development to act as a guide for pre-lab learning, laboratory experiments, homework activities, and demonstrations, and as a teacher’s guide. The random access nature of the DVD-ROM format allows teachers to easily show only those parts of the video that will work best in their course or laboratory as well as contain all relevant data, images, and documentation.  Cd110 Ag110 • The DVD-ROM contains the following types of directories and files: • 1 Data Files - contains raw data sets for students and analyzed data for instructors. • 1 Image Files - This folder contains pictures from the DVD as well as some high-resolution images of the sample and the detector. • 1 Instructional Files – This folder contains a variety of resources notably the instructional manual including laboratories, problems, and activities. • Instructor and Student Laboratory Manual • A laboratory manual is under development to provide instructors with a complete package of instructional resources so that they can effectively use the material on the DVD. Currently these resources are: Example Data for Students and Analysis for Instructors The DVD-ROM contains several files of data seen being acquired in the video. They are provided as a formatted data file or a minimally processed tabular file to be given to the students for their laboratory exercises as well as a separate analyzed and annotated file for instructors. Each data set relating to the separate element has been analyzed for the instructor’s convenience. The following is an example of a student data set for situations where students require substantial assistance with the techniques of graphing and calculation of the half-life. • Pre-laboratory activities • Labs designed for different time allotments, different student skill levels (high school, college) and laboratory activities with different pedagogical styles (guided exercises vs. directed or open exploratory activities.) • Homework and Exam Questions relating to the video lab material. The goal of this project is to provide a comparative analysis of instructional methods using the same laboratory resource material. Contents of the DVD The DVD contains over an hour of video and can be played on home DVD players similar to any movie. In addition there are data files stored on the DVD that can be accessed by any DVD capable computer. Survey of Effective Usage and Development Participation As professional researchers in physics education research, your feedback on the perceived use and of evaluation of appropriate material to be included in the instructor and student manuals and final DVD content is requested. In addition, potential collaborative efforts for this project would be welcomed. Please take a moment to view the DVD and manual and sign-up if interested in participating in this project. The DVD video menus contain the following items: Main menu Here is an example of a “raw” data file for students to analyze. This format provides better opportunities for developing analysis and synthesis skills through project-based homework and for exploratory laboratories. Sub-menu 1 The random-access nature of the DVD allows instructors to play introductory material should they choose. Sub-menu 2 There are five recorded experiments. Instructors may choose a variety of instructional options from playing one sample to a class as a demonstration, to having student groups choose an experiment in order to determine the half-life of a chosen element. Subsequent analysis could be in-class/lab or as a take home activity. Additional demonstrations on shielding show the differences between , , and  sources. Problems relating to the activity and decay of these sources can also be investigated. Here is an example of the analyzed data set for the aluminum sample to aid the teacher or instructor: For more information, please contact: Steven Sahyun Physics Dept. UW-Whitewater 800 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190 E-mail: sahyuns@uww.edu Phone: 262-472-5113 Sub-menu 3