Activity from Nuclear Proliferation

Understanding Past and Present Nuclear Threats

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Learning Objectives

Students will evaluate past and present nuclear threats and reflect on why these threats have changed over time.

Length
40 Minutes

Materials

The History of Nuclear Proliferation
Worksheet: Understanding Nuclear Threats Past and Present
Nuclear Proliferation: Introduction Guided Reading Handout

Instructional Plan

  1. (20 Minutes) Jigsaw: Break students into four groups. Distribute Understanding Past and Present Nuclear Threats worksheet and have students preview the handout. Assign each an era from The History of Nuclear Proliferation. (They can optionally use part 3 of the Nuclear Proliferation: Introduction Guided Reading Handout.) When complete, have individuals from each group merge and share notes.
    • Group 1: 1938-62: The Nuclear Age Begins
    • Group 2: 1968–75 Nuclear Nonproliferation Goes Global
    • Group 3: 1986–2000 End of the Cold War Improves Nonproliferation Efforts
    • Group 4: 2003–Present Progress and Threats
  2. (10 Minutes) Students will complete the Understanding Past and Present Nuclear Threats Worksheet in pairs. Have each group discuss their top three threats and be ready to defend. 
  3. (10 Minutes) Lead a class discussion on any patterns that emerge or disagreements among the groups.