We believe that the nuclear discourse over the last few decades has decoupled significant everyday struggles —the realities of race, gender, and social and economic inequalities. Instead, as a society, we have relegated nuclear discourse to the field of international relations, in which diplomats and other high-ranking officials take charge and discuss. While acknowledging the value of diplomacy and international relations, this project’s objective is to reconsider nuclear discourse through case studies that empower middle school students to critically examine how such inequalities intersect with nuclear history, atomic weaponry, and radiation exposure.

Through this curriculum, we seek to provide a catalyst for educators to deepen their anti-racist and culturally responsive teaching practices, to grow their own understanding of AAPI history and better understand the complex intersections between science and ethics, including nuclear technology; ultimately, to build rich, powerful, and transformative and inquiry-based learning alongside our students.