Designing an Arduino Geiger Counter
Students create a functioning Geiger counter.Copyright Matthew Reis
Students use the engineering design process to investigate radiation and its effects on human health. Students design and build simple Geiger counters, learn about different types of radiation and typical background levels, and gather data from various locations. They then analyze their findings, compare them to accepted safety standards, and refine their devices for improved performance. The activity culminates in a final report where students explain their results, justify conclusions with evidence, and reflect on the strengths and limitations of their investigation and design.
Nuclear engineers design and maintain systems that keep nuclear reactors safe. They create sensors to monitor conditions such as temperature and radiation, helping detect problems before they become dangerous. Events like the Chernobyl disaster show the importance of keeping reactors within safe limits. Nuclear engineers use these lessons to improve safety systems and protect people from harmful radiation through shielding, monitoring, and strict safety protocols.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define the types of nuclear radiation.
- Explain the effect of nuclear radiation on human well-being.
- Propose mechanisms and improvement plans to ensure healthy environmental conditions in classrooms.