Explore the World of Nuclear Energy Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre School Programs

Objective

To offer curriculum aligned programs at the Visitors’ Centre for elementary and secondary school students to support hands-on science learning in the areas of energy, electricity, the environment and physics.

Goals

• Provide fun, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences

• Offer programs that support teachers

• Connect programs to relevant Ontario Curriculum strands and expectations

• Support and assist students in meeting overall expectations

• Provide programming for multiple student learning levels

Explore the World of Nuclear EnergyA variety of educational programs are offered at the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre for elementary and secondary school students.

Located beside Huron Wind, Ontario’s first commercial wind farm, the Visitors’ Centre has a large variety of displays and exhibits, a 100-seat theatre, and a viewing deck that looks out over the world’s largest nuclear power development, Bruce Power.

Programs generally last two to three hours and include the opportunity to explore the Exhibit Hall and the many electrifying exhibits. Inside and outside picnic areas are available for classes and groups that wish to bring a packed lunch. Teachers often combine two programs into a visit to make a day of it.

The Visitors’ Centre is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday year-round and also on Saturdays in July and August; closed statutory and year-end holidays. It is located north of Tiverton, Ontario, west of Highway 21 on Bruce County Road 20. Admission is free.

Basic Electricity(Suggested Grades 3 – 6)

This presentation blasts off with a dust explosion to launch a discussion on energy. With the use of magnets, a steam engine, an electrostatic generator and other hands-on props students will learn about electricity and the relationship it shares with energy. Students will explore the sources of electrical energy in Ontario (fossil fuels, hydroelectric, wind, solar, bio-mass and nuclear) and compare them based on their advantages and disadvantages. This program also addresses the issue of electricity sources and their impact on the environment. There is a strong focus on active participation and exploration through demonstrations and questions.

Electrical Generation in Ontario(Suggested Grades 6 – 12)

In today’s hi-tech world, it is hard to imagine life without electricity. This program provides students with an introductory guide to Ontario’s electrical energy sources and energy conservation. During this informative presentation, students will discover and examine the different sources of electrical energy that contribute to Ontario’s power grid including fossil fuels, hydroelectric, wind and nuclear generation. Students will learn how each source is generated and evaluate the cost and benefi ts. The presentation will wrap up by comparing the various energy prices and CO2 emissions of each source, and highlight different ways Ontarians can conserve energy. At the end of the presentation, students will be given time to try the new Bruce Power Cost and Clean Air Calculator.

Introduction to Bruce Power and CANDU(Suggested Grades 6 – 12)

With eight operating reactors, Bruce Power is the largest operating nuclear generating complex in the world, and is one of Ontario’s largest independent suppliers of electricity. This program provides a slide tour of the site, and includes fascinating site facts and an overview of how CANDU reactors operate. Students will have the opportunity to discover how uranium fuel, nuclear fission, heavy water, and steam play key roles in producing safe low-cost and clean electrical energy for our province. Some other topics of discussion include radiation, nuclear waste, and safety.

Presentation and Program Summaries

Careers(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Bruce Power currently employs more than 4,000 highly-skilled men and women. The company is continually looking for the best and the brightest recruits and offers many opportunities for enthusiastic, innovative and passionate individuals who can contribute to the safe and reliable generation of electricity. This presentation introduces students to some of the many career and job profiles offered on site, and touches upon the experience and schooling required to qualify for each position. Students will have the opportunity to think about their future educational pathways and potential job opportunities through an exploration of the diverse opportunities offered at Bruce Power.

Generating Balance(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Our world is full of needs – our society needs affordable and reliable electricity while our environment needs clean and safe sources of electricity. What sources of electricity will help generate balance between the needs of society and the needs of the environment? This presentation discusses how renewable sources are a potential solution to global warming, climate change and green house gases. Students will analyze each renewable source based on advantages and disadvantages. They’ll also consider nuclear power as a clean base load generator. Students will make their own decisions about electrical energy sources using the interactive Energy for the Next Generation exhibit.

Minawaanigozin gikinoo’amaagoziyan! (Have a good time learning!)(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Stories passed on by elders of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation teach us the Bruce Power site and surrounding territories have been inhabited by Aboriginal peoples from time immemorial. European settlement occurred quite rapidly after the land was acquired by the Government of Upper Canada during a series of treaties in the 1800s. Bruce Power is committed to sustaining a positive relationship with First Nations and Métis peoples. Delivered by a representative from Bruce Power’s Aboriginal Network, this program walks the learner through the area’s history, describes the importance of a positive relationship with Aboriginal peoples and the steps we have taken to nurture it.

Radiation the Myths, the Science(Suggested Grades 9 – 12)

When asked about radiation, some of us think of our favourite irradiated superheroes: The Hulk, Fantastic Four, and Spiderman. Some of us think about the cancer treatments that a loved one has received. This presentation will explore the myths associated with radiation and compare them with the science behind radiation. Specifically, this program will address the atom and the fission process as well as how radiation is used at Bruce Power to produce much of the province’s electricity and life-saving Cobalt-60. Industrial processes involving radiation and controls and regulation are discussed.

Ontario’s Nuclear History(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Canada’s first commercial-sized nuclear plant, Douglas Point, is located on the Bruce Power site. Constructed as a prototype more than 50 years ago, Douglas Point was the peaceful culmination of a fascinating era in Canadian history that involved atomic bombs, espionage, one of the world’s first nuclear accidents and the evolution of reactors that now provide about half of Ontario’s electricity. Students learn about the private-public partnership that led to the creation of Canada’s first privately owned nuclear operator, Bruce Power, and also about nuclear energy’s role in Ontario’s long term energy plans.

Women in Nuclear(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Founded in 1993, Women in Nuclear Global (WiN Global) is an organization that supports and encourages women working in nuclear industries throughout the world, particularly in energy and radiation applications. Delivered by a WiN representative, the presentation talks about the history of women in the nuclear industry and their impact. This presentation also provides excellent insight for females considering post-secondary programs in math or science, in addition to promoting job opportunities in nuclear energy.

Minimizing our Environmental Footprint (Nuclear Waste Management)(Suggested Grades 7-12)

Regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, nuclear waste has been safely managed and stored on the Bruce Power site for more than 40 years. With the goal of minimizing our environmental footprint, Bruce Power works hard to manage and reduce the amount of nuclear waste produced before it is even created. This presentation describes what it is, how much there is, how it is managed, and who pays to look after it.

Green and Clean(Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

Ontario’s first commercial wind farm, Huron Wind, looks out over the province’s largest nuclear generating facility, Bruce Power. This presentation compares and contrasts the two technologies and their roles in Ontario’s electricity mix. The program includes a walk to the Huron Wind fence line when the weather permits.

Trade up for Success (Suggested Grades 7 – 12)

The Power Workers’ Union youth training initiative, TradeUp for Success, has received rave reviews from government and school officials. Delivered by trade representatives from the Bruce Power site, this program promotes apprenticeships and the trades as an alternative to university. Control Technician, Mechanical Maintainer, Power Equipment Electrician, and Truck and Coach Technician are examples of the career paths discussed as well as other career paths available in the trades industry for today’s youth.

Where to find usLooking out over the world’s largest nuclear power development, the Visitors’ Centre is located adjacent to Ontario’s first commercial wind farm, Huron Wind, just north of Tiverton, west of Highway 21 on County Road 20.

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To schedule a program at the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre, contact us at:519.361.7777 1.866.748.4787 communityrelations@brucepower.com www.brucepower.com

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