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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Introduce your elementary school students to the atom and the world of nuclear energy with digital lesson plans, project starters, career resources, and more!
Start small by exploring an atom as the foundation for nuclear energy. Then, go big and compare energy sources for electricity solutions! Navigating Nuclear provides you with standards-aligned resources to connect students to applications of nuclear energy on land, in the sea, and even in deep space!
Educator Lesson Plan | 45 Minutes
Students are introduced to the concept of the atom. The class will simulate an atom’s structure as they take on the role of parts of the nucleus. They will be led to understand that different kinds of atoms make up everything around us.
Download Digital Lesson
Students will be challenged to investigate different energy sources as they seek to find an electricity solution for a remote location.
Download STEM Project Starter
Last modified January 19, 2024, 11:25am CST