What’s it all about?
Radiation. The word conjures thoughts of cancer, death, mushroom clouds, and mutants! But, while it’s true that radiation can be dangerous and even deadly, it’s not the villain that the media makes it out to be. Radiation is everywhere – it’s in the food you eat, the air you breathe, and it’s even inside you. We are exposed to it every day with no damaging effects. So why does radiation have such a bad rap?
What will we cover?
This class will dispel some of commonly held myths about radiation, as well as highlight the real reasons why it can be dangerous. We will discuss what radiation actually is, where it comes from, what effect it has on the human body, and why a cold beer can protect you against exposure. We will also explore ways radiation is used around the home, in the lab, and in cutting-edge medical imaging techniques.
Who will be teaching?
Harris was first exposed to the joys of radiation while completing a Master of Science in experimental particle physics at the University of Melbourne. Instead of developing superpowers or growing an extra limb, he has grown a deep appreciation for the applications of science and its teaching, and will happily talk to anyone about physics for any length of time. Harris now works with radiation on a daily basis as a Cyclotron Engineer at the Austin Hospital’s Centre for Positron Emission Tomography.