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Handout
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Chronology on Decision to Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed chronology of the events and communication of 1945-1946 shows Truman's role in the process of the decision to drop the world's first atomic bomb used in warfare upon Hiroshima and then the second upon Nagasaki. Also...
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Handout
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: 20 Mishaps and Possible Nuclear War

For Students 9th - 10th
Read summaries of 20 accidents that moved the United States and USSR dangerously close to "mutually assured destruction" and nuclear war during the Cold War. A chilling reminder of the constant threat faced by all during that period of...
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Website
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Forties: War and Peace

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the design of the first nuclear reactor by Enrico Fermi and his successful development of a self-ustaining nuclear chain reaction. Describes the evolution of the Manhattan Project and their race to develop the first atomic...
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Website
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson Plan Controlling Nuclear Weapons

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site on controlling nuclear weapons will cover three to four 50 minute periods on the topic. Students will review the Nonproliferation Treaty and discuss questions such as: are there countries that should not be allowed to have...
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Website
New York Times

New York Times: Truths of the Second Nuclear Age

For Students 9th - 10th
Identifies how many warheads different countries have throughout the world. Also provides information about the United States' and Russia's current arsenals. Discusses which countries have signed the non-proliferation treaties and which...
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Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1940 1959

For Students 9th - 10th
Defense-related research leads to the computer, the world enters the atomic age and TV conquers America.
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Website
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory: The Graphite Reactor

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource describes the world's first nuclear reactor and the role which it played in the Manhattan Project. Also discussed are topics such as the goal of plutonium development for nuclear weapons, the goals of the top-secret,...
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Handout
Other

Dannen.com: Atomic Bomb Decision

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has information about the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The information is detailed and in depth. Contains many links to related sites.
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Website
Choices Program, Brown University

The Choices Program: History and Current Events

For Students 9th - 10th
This page engages students in international issues. Curricular resources and instructional programs bring international public policy to life. Students engage in research and high-level thinking activities that revolve around what is in...
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Website
Council of Foreign Relations

Council on Foreign Relations: Loose Nukes

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief discussion about what loose nukes are, where they are located, and what threats they pose to the world.
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Website
Other

Atomic Bomb: Decision

For Students 9th - 10th
An indexing page which links to several pages of letters, diary excerpts, public reports, and personal correspondence relating to the use of the first atomic bomb. Includes letters and petitions drafted by scientists involved with the...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Teaching Social Responsibility: Teachable Moment: The Spread of Nuclear Weapons

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource includes three student readings that provide information about U.S. policy on nuclear weapons, the successes and failures of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the motivations that lead nations to seek nuclear bombs....
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Lesson Plan
Other

Teaching Social Responsibility: Teachable Moment: North Korea

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource provides case studies, discussion questions, and a group activity about the on-going crisis between the United States and North Korea. Students will learn about all of the treaties and compromises made over the past few...
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Lesson Plan
Organization for Community Networks

Academy Curricular Exchange: Post Nuclear War Survival

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Gives the students an idea that sometimes there is not a correct answer especially when dealing with nuclear war. Students discuss possible outcomes of a nuclear exchange.
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Interactive
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology

Outrider: What Happens in a Bomb Blast?

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive tool that in terrifying detail lets you see the impact a nuclear bomb blast would have anywhere in the world, including in your neighborhood. Learn what you can do about it.
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Website
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Obama Administration Faces Instability in Key Nuclear Nations

For Students 9th - 10th
This informative site looks at nuclear tests going on in North Korea,Pakistan and other countries. Find out from experts what their concerns are about this matter.
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Article
Other

Atom Central: Tsar Bomba King of the Bombs

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about a Soviet bomber that was made to be a statement of intimidation by the Soviet Union to the United States.
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Article
Other

Atom Central: The Atomic Cannon

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the Atomic Cannon, the largest nuclear capable mobile artillery piece manufactured by the United States in 1953.
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Article
Other

Atom Central: Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program, a post-World War II, U.S. military defense system.
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Handout
Other

Atom Central: The Cuban Missile Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline of events between October 15 and November 1, 1963 depicts the time period during which the Cuban Missile Crisis took place,
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Article
Other

Atom Central: The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this detailed account of the decision and action to drop two atomic bombs on Japan after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
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Article
Other

Atom Central: Trinity, the Birth of the Atomic Age

For Students 9th - 10th
Beginning with a synopsis of the Trinity Bomb detonation in the New Mexico desert, read how the Atomic age was born.
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Article
Other

Atom Central: History Leading to the Creation of the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about historical events leading to the creation of the atomic bomb, beginning with ancient history.
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Handout
US Energy Information Administration

U.s. Eia Energy Kids: Timelines: Nuclear Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Timeline of key events in the development of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, including early scientific discoveries related to atomic science.