Activity 2.5 - Are X-rays bad for you?

Learning Aims:
  • To understand the health risks of X-rays and CT scans
  • To establish inquiry based skills like: identifying problems to investigate, analysing and evaluating scientific arguments, constructing logical proofs, communicating and defending scientific arguments
Materials:
A computer with internet connection
    Suggestions for use:

    In this activity students investigate the health risks of X-rays. They research the problem to be able to defend a statement in which they believe.

    The statement is:
    Many people are concerned about the risks to their health from getting medical X-rays and CT scans. In my opinion X-rays and CT scans may be important in medicine but they are also very harming, I think they are not good for me.

    They should realise:

    - advantages and disadvantages of X-rays and CT-scans

    - health risks connected to both techniques

    - how much benefit is needed to accept certain health risks.

    This is an open inquiry type of activity. Students have to collect the evidence, construct logical proof and defend their point of view in a class debate. The best approach is to divide students in smaller groups and let them divide the tasks in the group themselves.

    A nice addition to this activity would be to organize a visit to a radiology department in a hospital or to invite a radiologist into the class.
    Possible questions:
    • What are advantages and disadvantages of X-rays and CT scans?
    • What are biological effects of X-rays?
    • How much radiation is exposed in X-ray image? CT scan?
    • Is there a minimal radiation dose, which is not harmful? What are results of too large dose?
    • Can modern medicine miss X-ray and CT medical imaging?