Radon and Weather

In this unit, students will learn about radon, a radioactive element released from rocks in the Earth that is hazardous at high concentrations. Students will model how radon can travel through different types of geologic features and use radon detectors to measure various everyday substances before and after weather events. They will then consider the effects of temperature, pressure, precipitation and convection on the release of radon and learn about mitigating radon buildup within a building. Finally, students will revise a model home to include all of these factors, as well as mitigation techniques.  

Hands-on Activities:  

• Students blow air through straws to consider how air can move through some types of soil easier than others 
• Students use a radon detector to measure the amount of radon produced by various subjects. They also measure the amount of radon found in rainwater. 
• Students learn about temperature, pressure, and precipitation through hands-on explorations 
• Students complete a see, think, wonder graphic organizer while viewing a variety of demonstrations of convection to consider how weather could affect the rise of radon from the Earth 

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

MS-ESS2-5 •  MS-ESS2-4