How does radiation impact our lives?

Understanding the impact of radiation here on earth is just one aspect of radiation biology. Identifying and mitigating the effects of radiation on travelers to the Moon, Mars, and beyond is a critical goal of NASA scientists.

This website will assist high school biology teachers in introducing radiation biology & genetics concepts to grades 9-12.

Radiation biology is an interdisciplinary science that examines the biological effects of radiation on living systems. To fully understand the relationship between the two, researchers incorporate fundamentals of biology, physics, astrophysics, planetary science and engineering to solve problems in this field. The Radiation Biology Educator Guide helps to link these disciplines by providing background, discussion questions, objectives, research questions, and inquiry-based activities to introduce radiation biology into the high school science classroom. The suggested activities are hands-on investigations that encourage the use of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, problem solving, and inquiry skills. The activities should be considered as a general framework that can be modified based on student needs and classroom resources. This guide is aligned with the National Science Education Standards of Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, and Life Science and has been organized into the following four modules:

Module 1: Radiation

Module 2: Radiation Damage in Living Organisms

Module 3: Radiation Countermeasures

Module 4: Applications to Life on Earth