Context

Nuclear Energy is a form of energy produced through nuclear fission, a process that occurs inside a nuclear reactor, where atom nuclei are split, releasing a large amount of heat that is converted into electrical energy. This energy production technique is one of the most efficient available today, as the radioactive materials used, such as uranium and plutonium, are capable of producing large amounts of energy from small amounts of matter.

However, nuclear energy has a series of geopolitical, economic, and environmental implications that are important to understand. Among the geopolitical issues are the unequal distribution of nuclear energy resources and the potential use of this technology for military purposes. Economically, nuclear energy can bring benefits as a constant source of energy, but it also has associated costs, such as the construction and maintenance of nuclear power plants and the management of nuclear waste. Environmentally, although nuclear energy is a low-carbon source, nuclear accidents and the issue of nuclear waste storage present significant challenges.

Introduction

Nuclear energy came into prominence in the second half of the 20th century, following the development of nuclear technology during World War II. Since then, it has become one of the main sources of energy in the world, with many countries partially or fully depending on it for their energy needs. However, nuclear energy is also one of the most controversial topics in discussions about energy and the environment, due to the risks associated with its production and the challenges of managing nuclear waste.

It is important to have a clear understanding of nuclear energy, its production, uses, and impacts in order to make informed decisions about the future of our energy matrix. This project aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of nuclear energy, encouraging collaborative research and informed debate.

Students can start exploring the topic through the following resources in Portuguese:

• What is nuclear energy and how is it produced?
• Nuclear energy in Brazil and worldwide
• Nuclear energy: pros and cons

Practical Activity

Activity Title: World Map of Nuclear Energy

Project Objective

The objective of this activity is for students, divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, to research, analyze, and present a global overview of nuclear energy, considering the geopolitical, economic, and socio-environmental aspects in different countries.

Detailed Project Description

Students should create an interactive world map that portrays the geopolitical, economic, and socio-environmental situation of nuclear energy in different countries. The map should contain information such as:

• The amount of nuclear energy produced by each country;
• The number of nuclear power plants in operation and under construction;
• National policies related to nuclear energy;
• The main challenges and controversies involving nuclear energy in each country.

In addition, the map should provide a critical analysis of the economic and socio-environmental impacts of nuclear energy exploitation.

Required Materials

• Computers with internet access;
• Software and/or online platforms for creating interactive maps (such as Google My Maps, ArcGIS Online, etc.);
• Research materials (books, articles, reliable websites, etc.).

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Group Division and Role Distribution: Students should be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group should assign roles such as research, map development, critical analysis, and report writing among its members.

2. Research: Students should research nuclear energy in different countries, focusing on geopolitical, economic, and environmental aspects.

3. Map Development: Using the chosen platform, students should create an interactive map that reflects the data and information collected in the research. It is important that the map is clear, informative, and easy to navigate.

4. Critical Analysis: Based on the research conducted and the information presented on the map, students should conduct a critical analysis of the economic and socio-environmental impacts of nuclear energy exploitation.

5. Report Writing: Finally, students should write the project report, which should include the following four main topics: introduction, development, conclusion, and bibliography.

Project Deliverables

The project deliverables are:

1. Interactive Map: An interactive world map that portrays the geopolitical, economic, and socio-environmental situation of nuclear energy in different countries.

2. Project Report: A written document in report format that includes:

• Introduction: The student should contextualize the topic of nuclear energy in the present day, its importance, and the project's objective.
• Development: Here, the methodology used for map development, the research conducted, the results obtained, and the critical analysis performed should be described in detail.
• Conclusion: Revisiting its main points, the group should explain the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn from the project.
• Bibliography: Indication of the sources used for the project completion.