Nuclear Decay and Earth’s History

Dr. Pete ConnTeacher Workshops

Presented by Chad Bridle
Wednesday, June 8, 2022 ◉ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Today’s science education standards seek to grow students as scientists. Content is not learned in isolation, but instead is grounded in an engaging phenomenon. The questions and problems that arise from the phenomenon necessitate new content knowledge. In this workshop, students will explore several rich bodies of scientific data regarding Earth’s past and seek to make sense of it by investigating nuclear decay and half-life. Students will evaluate evidence and develop evidence-based arguments about how Earth’s surface has change over time. The inherent complexity of Earth science data allows for students to hone their data interpretation and evidence-based argumentation skills. Participants will explore curriculum and instructional strategies related to a unit of instruction on nuclear decay, half-life and plate tectonics as well as consider how Earth and Space science can be used as initial phenomena for chemistry courses.

Target Audience: Middle/High School, Chemistry, Earth Science

Georgia Science Standards: SES2, SES4, SPS4
NGSS DCI: MS-ESS2-3, HS-PS1-8, HS-ESS1-5, 2-1
NGSS SEP: Developing and Using Models, Engaging in Argument from Evidence
NGSS CCC: Energy and Matter, Stability and Change, Patterns

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Presenter

Chad Bridle has been a chemistry and physics teacher at Grandville High School in Grandville, MI, for 17 years. He completed Grand Valley State University’s Target Inquiry program as a part of his graduate studies. For the last ten years he has facilitated presentations and workshops at regional and national conferences on behalf of Target Inquiry, ACS and AACT.