J. Technology and Education, Vol.15, No.2, pp.47-50, 2008

教育論文

環境放射能測定実習の講義への導入による放射線教育の実践

　

木幡進_*1，小田明範 ₂

八代工業高等専門学校, ₁生物工学科, ²機械電気工学科

（〒866-8501八代市平山新町2627）

*kohata@as.yatsushiro-nct.ac.jp

　

Teaching Students about Radiation using Measurements

of Environmental Radioactivity

Susumu KOHATA¹ and Akinori ODA²

¹Department of Bioengineering, ²Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Yatsushiro National College of Technology (Hirayama-shinmachi, Yatsushiro, Kumamoto 866-8501, Japan)

　

(Received November 10, 2008; Accepted December 8, 2008)

　

Abstract

Training students in the measurement of environmental radioactivity was introduced into the fifth-year curriculum at Yatsushiro National College of Technology. Students were taught about environmental radioactivity and examples of research in the area of environmental radioactivity, as well as the principles and use of a scintillation survey meter, were given. Measurements were conducted at ten locations on campus. The average environmental radioactivity (the cause of background noise) at each location ranged from 0.05 to 0.09 μSv/h over an eight-year period (2001-2008), which is approximately the same as the standard dose rate (0.06-0.08 μSv/h). After the lectures and practical course, students recognized the existence of invisible radioactive radiation and understood the differences between radiation levels in different environments. We concluded that the practical measurement of radiation levels in familiar settings is an effective means of educating students about radiation.

Key words: environmental radioactivity, measurement, scintillation survey meter, education