Have you wondered how a nuclear power plant differs from other energy sources? Do you want to find out if nuclear fuel actually glow green like it does in TV shows and movies? How do we even split atoms in first place if they’re too small to see? In this class, we'll talk about how we can make electricity by splitting atoms (fission) and how we’re trying to make electricity from forcing them together (fusion). We will cover how current nuclear power plants work and what future nuclear power plants that use fission or fusion energy may look like. We’ll also discuss how nuclear power could help fight climate change and how we continue to address the risks associated with fission power plants.

The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident was one of the largest and most expensive disasters in human history. The accident was a combination of human, political, and technical failures - resulting in the permanent evacuation of over 1000 square miles of land around the reactors and radioactive contamination of thousands of people. The HBO mini series Chernobyl recently portrayed the story of the disaster but did you ever wonder how accurate the TV series is? We'll talk about the real science and engineering behind the Chernobyl nuclear accident, how the accident happened at Chernobyl, and talk about what the HBO mini series may have gotten right or wrong! We'll also discuss why an accident like Chernobyl couldn't happen in the United States and the Chernobyl site is like today - over 30 years after the accident.

Do you want to know how nuclear bombs work? Are you curious why centrifuges are so important in international diplomacy? Did you know that a single nuclear weapon can explode with the same energy as all explosives used in World War 2 combined? Why should we care about countries getting nuclear weapons, anyways? In this course, we'll review the history of nuclear weapons, talk about the art and science of designing them, and see what the effects these weapons have had on the world. We'll also cover the current state of nuclear weapons and what you should know about modern scientific and political discussions about them. By the end of this class you'll know how to design a nuclear weapon but also understand the human risks and costs.

Have you wondered how a nuclear power plant differs from other energy sources? Do you want to find out if nuclear fuel actually glow green like it does in TV shows and movies? How do we even split atoms in first place if they’re too small to see? In this class, we'll talk about how we can make electricity by splitting atoms (fission) and how we’re trying to make electricity from forcing them together (fusion). We will cover how current nuclear power plants work and what future nuclear power plants that use fission or fusion energy may look like. We’ll also discuss how nuclear power could help fight climate change and how we continue to address the risks associated with fission power plants.

Do you want to know how to build a nuclear bomb? Are you curious why centrifuges are so important in international diplomacy? Did you know that a single nuclear weapon can explode with the same energy as all explosives used in World War 2 combined? Why should we care about countries getting nuclear weapons, anyways? In this course, we'll review the history of nuclear weapons, talk about the art and science of designing them, and see what the effects these weapons have had on the world. We'll also cover the current state of nuclear weapons and what you should know about modern scientific and political discussions about them. By the end of this class you'll know how to design a nuclear weapon but also understand the human risks and costs.