2023 Volume 79 Issue 7 Article ID: 23-00059
The public awareness of the high-level radioactive waste disposal project (HLW disposal project) is low, and it is difficult to obtain public understanding of the project. The HLW disposal project is a national project in which civil engineering can contribute to the construction of a huge underground facility. Therefore, this study conducted a brainstorming session for students from the viewpoint of civil engineering to identify issues and questions that young people are intellectually interested in regarding the HLW disposal project. The educational materials were then developed to contribute to the awareness of the HLW disposal project and to the understanding of the technical feasibility of the geological disposal. We also explored ways to train science communicators and to communicate with them in order to pass on the knowledge to the public and the next generation. The results of this study were implemented on a trial basis for high school students, and the effectiveness in raising their awareness of the HLW disposal project was confirmed.
