An Integrated Visual–Interactive Framework for Teaching Ionizing Radiation and its Human Health Effects in the Context of Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

 Ionizing radiation is an essential topic in nuclear physics education because its understanding requires students to connect fundamental physical principles with radiation exposure, biological effects, and human health risks. These relationships become particularly important in the context of nuclear power plants, where misconceptions about radiation may hinder an adequate understanding of both radiation safety and its potential health consequences. This study presents an integrated instructional approach designed to support students’ conceptual understanding of ionizing radiation by combining scientifically structured content with visual and interactive learning strategies. The approach integrates Venn diagrams, Mind Maps, and the Flower Grids method to organize and compare the physical characteristics, ionization and energy-deposition behaviour, penetration characteristics, exposure relevance, and protection considerations of alpha (α) particles, beta (β) particles, gamma (γ) photons, neutrons, and internal conversion electrons. Natural background radiation is treated separately as a source and exposure context that may involve multiple forms of ionizing radiation and both external and internal exposure pathways. The instructional sequence further connects radiation forms and exposure contexts with dosimetric quantities, biological responses, tissue reactions, potential heritable effects, and stochastic effects. Unlike conventional presentations in which these concepts are often introduced as separate factual elements, the proposed approach organizes them into interconnected conceptual structures and encourages learners to compare, classify, reconstruct, explain, and interpret scientific information. Particular emphasis is placed on linking the physical properties of ionizing radiation with exposure conditions, dosimetric interpretation, biological significance, and radiation-protection principles. The proposed methodology provides a structured framework for teaching complex radiation-related concepts and may support a more coherent understanding of radiation physics, human health effects, and radiation safety within nuclear power plant education.