The "Cosmic Shower" Experiment in Extracurricular Activities as One of the Means for Formation of Students’ Radiation Literacy
During the master classes „Repeat the Nobel experiment” at the Science Festival and practical training with school students gaps in their understanding of statistical character of radioactive decay and comprehension of such important phenomenon as natural radioactivity have been noted. Laboratory installation, including mobile platform with 16 Geiger counters and monitor, for evident registration of cosmic rays and methodical materials for the experiment are described. „Cosmic shower”, used as an introductory exercise in the education of young people in the field of modern physics by the excursion method, contributes to the development of probabilistic thinking and the ability to make estimates. Student actualizes the phenomenon of natural radioactivity by studying statistical characteristics of the observed numerical series, the process of interaction of radiation with substance by placing different absorbers and slightly radioactive material in front of the detectors, the concept of the „interaction cross section” by calculating the number of background particles passing through his body.