Previously…
In my last humanities project, I explored how the creation of the atomic bombs impacted WWII, and the future of nuclear energy. I learnt how development in nuclear fission technology led to the creation of an extremely powerful weapon that was used to end the war. I also learned that this same technology could be used for peaceful purposes to generate a clean source of energy. I concluded that whether this technology is used for destruction or creation depended on international cooperation.
Currently…
This project is sort of a part 2 to that where I will explore how the expansion of nuclear science in the years following WWII led to the Cold War. Before starting this project all I knew about the Cold War was that it existed, and Russia was a part of it in some way. In the first 2 days of this project, I’ve already learnt about how the Cold War revolved around fear of the use of nuclear weapons between the two superpowers U.S. and USSR. Some of the topics I would like to learn more about are the nuclear arms race, the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), the increased threat of nuclear weapons being used, and periods of international crisis and fear such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Coming Up…
I have (almost) free range on where I bring this project. Not only do I get to choose my topic, but also the format of my final product. Throughout this project, I will work on strengthening my creativity skills by coming up with a unique way of presenting my learning. I already have a few ideas in mind for what my final product might be, like to explain rising tensions and the concept of MAD from the voice of a hockey commentator.
I plan to keep these creative ideas in mind as I read and research these topics, so that I can start developing ideas earlier on in my learning process. I think taking this creative approach will keep me engaged in my learning because I’m interested in hockey, and I think it’s a good connection to the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union.
