Radioactive Material in Science Classrooms

Radiation Facts

Only use radioactive materials in your school as directed by your teacher.
Follow instructions on how to use and store radioactive materials properly.

Some schools use radioactive materials in their science classrooms or laboratories to teach about radiation in our world and to demonstrate the concept of shielding.

On this page:

About Radioactive Material in Science Classrooms
What you can do
Where to learn more

About Radioactive Material in Science Classrooms

people in science classroom — A group of high school students perform a science experiment in their school's laboratory.

Radioactive materials can be used in some interesting classroom experiments. Sometimes, teachers use a Geiger counter and a radioactive source to teach students about shielding. Chemistry, physics, and earth science labs are some of the places where radioactive materials could be used in schools. Schools administrators and teachers are responsible for ensuring that students are protected from radioactive materials in classrooms or laboratories and for the proper labeling and storage of radioactive materials when they are not in use. If a radioactive material is used in the classroom or lab, it is likely a very small amount of a low energy source, like a small piece of rock that contains low energy, naturally-occurring uranium.

To use and store radioactive materials safely in the classroom, containers must be correctly labeled and sealed. Descriptive labels will let teachers and students know which materials are radioactive. The storage containers should be made of material that will keep the radiation inside the container. Storage container materials will depend on the type of radiation, but could include wood, lead, or other metals.

Some radioactive material does not pose an external hazard to students and teachers. Alpha radiation cannot go through your skin, but can register on a Geiger counter. One interesting experiment is to hold a Geiger counter near a piece of old, orange or red Fiestaware. Learn more about Radioactivity in Antiques.

What You Can Do

Learn more. Your school's science department may use radioactive materials. Talk to your science teacher to find out how you can learn more about experiments using radiation in your school.

Where to Learn More

States

The NRC regulates the use of radioactive material, including radioactive sources sometimes used in classrooms. The NRC requires locations such as these to be licensed. Facilities must prove they have a radiation safety program to protect both students and teachers in order to get an NRC license.

Each state has a radiation program that ensures the safe use of radioactive materials. The NRC has agreements with more than half the states (Agreement States) that gives them the authority to regulate the use of nuclear material. Agreement States inspect facilities to make sure the staff is properly trained and that equipment is operating safely. Some states do not have formal agreements with the NRC. In those states, the NRC keeps the authority to license colleges and universities to use radioactive materials for research. Some states work with schools to locate and dispose of unwanted radioactive material. The state's emergency management agency or radiation control program usually provides this support to schools.

State Radiation Protection Programs
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD)
This webpage provides links and contact information for each state's Radiation Control Program office.

Nuclear Materials
This webpage provides information on the NRC’s role in regulating radioactive material.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a robust science department. Its radiation safety manual is required reading for students, professors, and researchers to reduce unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure, and promote safe laboratory practices.

Radiation Safety Manual (PDF)(566.72K)
This webpage shares information about safely working with radioactive materials in a school laboratory setting.

Nuclear Science Week

Nuclear Science Week is sponsored by the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. It is held every year during the third week of October.

Lesson Plans
This webpage links to various activities for elementary, middle, and high school classes. Some of these activities use Geiger counters, radioactive sources, and other materials.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) network of national labs. It researches nuclear science and security, among many other topics.

The ABC’s of Nuclear Science
This webpage has experiments, lesson plans, and teacher aids that relate to radiation in science classrooms.