Fusion Games

Fusion is another tough topic to teach using hands on materials.  There are plenty of simulations and diagrams.  I wasn’t quite sure how to really approach a standard method of teaching fusion.  The students have a pretty good idea of what is happening but I wanted to reinforce a few concepts using something hands on:

• like charges repel (proton to proton interactions)
• overcoming electrostatic repulsion (nuclear collisions)
• what’s inside the nucleus
• nucleosynthesis of higher elements up to iron
• atomic mass, momentum and atomic number

I decided to have them make fusion games based on some of these concepts.  The results have always turned out pretty well.  Student creativity builds ownership of the learning and gaming is a fun way to deliver some much needed enrichment.