Physics Excursion to ANSTO Nuclear Reactor
On the 1st of September, eleven Year 12 Physics students visited the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) by our College Mini-Bus. This was an excursion that addressed the nuclear physics component in the module, “From the Universe to the Atom” taught in Physics.
This excursion is used to reinforce learning by bringing to life what is taught in the classroom. The day was fully compacted with many theoretical and experimental activities. It began with an intense lecture on the theory of nuclear physics. After a very short break the students were taken on a site tour where they were exposed to the vast array of the applications of nuclear technology. This tour included different ANSTO’s research facilities, including the OPAL (Open Pool Australian Lightwater) research reactor, ANSTO Nuclear Medicine production facility and Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering.
During this excursion students learnt how controlled fission reaction inside OPAL is used to produce nuclear medicines, irradiate silicon for electronic microchips and produce neutrons for research, also how neutrons are used in diffraction experiments to investigate crystal structures of materials and how nuclear medicines are designed, produced and used to diagnose and treat disease, at last but not least how nuclear waste is managed.
For this excursion students were assigned a comprehensive workbook, not only to complete during the excursion but also with pre- and post-excursion work.
It is on this tour too that the myth that Australia only plays a small role in nuclear science was broken. In fact, students learned that Australia is a major contributor to the world nuclear medicine, microchips for electronic devices and nuclear research.
Our students were excited with the privilege to visit Australia’s only nuclear reactor. The educators at ANSTO were impressed with our students and gave them a glowing review.
Mr R. Jayaratna
Teacher of Physics