Nuclear Reactions

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. The Nuclear Reactions teacher workshop will take place on Saturday, December 9th, 2023.

 

 

Applications for 2023-2024 school year are now live, please complete the Education Reservation Request Form. For instructions on applying, please see the How to Apply section.

Overview

Grades 11-12

ONLY BEING OFFERED IN THE SPRING

 

Ranger Socorro and Nike Veteran Al Kellogg pose in front of a Nike Hercules Missile.

NPS Lara Volski

What does safety look like?

Nuclear Reactions: Atomic Diplomacy at the Marin Headlands provides a dynamic supplement to your unit on the Cold War-era. Students are introduced to the Nike missile site that operated in the Marin Headlands during the 1950s until 1974. The missile site, located near a major urban area, offers students the opportunity to consider the national significance and impact of the Cold War from a local perspective: its definition of security, the technology it spawned, the role of diplomacy, and public perceptions of the era. Students also conduct research into primary and secondary sources that continue the story of nuclear technology in our political and economic world of today.

The Nuclear Reactions program uses the Understanding by Design framework, incorporates Common Core Standards and Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The program is framed by the Essential Question – "What does safety look like?"

Program’s Framework and Curriculum Links:

Click here for the Nuclear Reactions Understanding by Design grid.
Click here for the Nuclear Reactions Curriculum

Click here for additional materials about Nike missiles and Cold War history.

Program Structure

The Nuclear Reactions program is structured in the following three-touch model:

• Classroom preparation – lessons delivered by the teacher with resources provided by the park addressing the implications of the Cold War using articles and historic photographs.
• Field session – the Nike site experience in which students conduct an inquiry investigation.
• Classroom assessment – opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through essays and debate.

 

Three Nike missiles point up in the Marin Headlands

NPS

How to Apply

Please fill out the Education Reservation Request Form to request a program for your class (1 per classroom). Failure to complete this form may result in the inability to participate in program.

Classroom Preparation – lessons are facilitated by the teacher before the on-site.

Field visit –In-person field sessions are ONLY offered Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays. Plan for a 9:00 AM pick-up and 2:00 PM drop-off.

Note: Do NOT book programs on late or early release school dates. In order to book the correct bus size, please provide a true estimate of the students and adults, including chaperones that will be participating in the program.

Program Registration Instructions

1. SECTION 1: Fully complete your Contact Information on the form.

*In the “Describe Need” box, please let us know if you need any special accommodations for your students.*

2. SECTION 2: Complete the following for section 2, under Park Visit/Field Trip:
   
   You do not need to complete contact information again, please go directly to the program logistics section. Add THREE alternative field visit dates for your park visit.
   
   Below is a guide on how to complete section 2:

• Grade Add Grade Level(s)	Number of Students Add Total Number of Students	Number of Chaperones Add Total Number of Chaperones
  Preferred Date of Visit i.e.: Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays	Preferred Program Start Time i.e.: 9:00 AM	Alternative Date(s) Include at least 3 alternative dates
  Anticipated Arrival Time Skip this part	Anticipated Departure Time (Programs last 5 hours) i.e.: 1:30 PM	Mode of Transportation Charter Bus

3. After completing the Education Reservation Request Form, please email a signed copy to [e-mail].

Please have the name of the requested program in the email Subject line.


Please Note—Due to a high volume of requests, it will take a couple of business days to be contacted by a ranger.

 

Additional Resources

Nike Missile Site Introductory Video

 

Duration:

11 minutes, 22 seconds

The threats that were faced during the Cold War, the decisions that were made during that time period, was it right? Was it wrong? Was it worth it?

 

• 

  Nuclear Reactions

  This short video introduces your students to the Nike Missile site.

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 56 seconds

 

• 

  Nuclear Reactions (Audio Described, English)

  This short video introduces your students to the Nike Missile site.

  Duration:

  10 minutes, 12 seconds

 

• 

  Nuclear Reactions (English Captioned)

  This short video introduces your students to the Nike Missile site.

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 56 seconds

 

• 

  Nuclear Reactions (Captioned, Spanish)

  This short video introduces your students to the Nike Missile site.

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 56 seconds

 

• 

  Nuclear Reactions (Captioned, Chinese)

  This short video introduces your students to the Nike Missile site.

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 56 seconds