Trident: Nuclear Weapons Yes or No?
The UK's nuclear weapons system, 'Trident', is based on the Clyde at Faslane, 25 miles (40.23 km) from Glasgow. Our 'Trident' module and video are a good introduction to the debate around nuclear weapons.
Pack Source: Peace Education Scotland Last Modified: 26/09/2022
Trident is the Unit 3 of the ‘Nuclear Weapons: Yes or No?’ suite (alongside 0101, 0002, 0104). Five-theme CHECK/WATCH/LEARN/THINK/CHALLENGE structure fits a single lesson; Trident Renewal Debate (Task 3) is recommended as a separate lesson.
Scotland-specific content: Faslane, Coulport, Scottish Government position on Trident, employment arguments and relevance for schools along Trident convoy routes. Explicitly designed to present balanced for/against arguments.
Higher curriculum links: English Portfolio Essay (discursive/persuasive); N5/Higher History – Cold War; N5/Higher RMPS – Morality and Belief / Morality and Conflict; N5 Modern Studies – Democracy, Social Issues, International Issues.
Activities: Video (WATCH, 3.5 mins), Knowledge self-assessment scale (CHECK), Structured class debate – Trident Renewal (CHALLENGE), Creative writing – Captain’s Letter, Creative task – Estate Agent description of Faslane, Group project – plan a documentary (optional video-making), Survival island prioritisation task, Discussion and Research
Download
These files are free to download:
- Trident Teachers' Notes (PDF, 157KB)
- Trident Booklet (DOCX, 229KB)
- Trident Booklet (PDF, 397KB)
- Trident Presentation (PPTX, 5.8MB)