Nuclear Family Vacation (broadcast Friday, July 4th, 2008)

XX-12 GRABLE was fired on May 25, 1953 at the Nevada Test Site. A 280mm artillery gun fired the 15 kiloton nuclear shell. This was the only time a nuclear artillery shell was ever fired. Photo courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Of

Much of the nuclear weapons industry is top-secret, but there are parts of the atomic establishment that a tourist can see. In this hour of Science Friday, Ira talks with Sharon Weinberger, one half of a husband and wife reporting team that took a trip on a 'nuclear family vacation,' visiting public -- and not-so-public -- sites associated with atomic weaponry. We'll talk about the history and future of nuclear weaponry, and discuss which sites of atomic history can be visited by the average tourist. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.