Field trip explores Hiroshima’s legacy

A field trip to Hiroshima has been organized for students taking Inquiry in Science II course 4SZ3 (also known as Med Phys 777). Aptly named Phoenix: Out of the Ashes and Into the Atomic Age, the course examines the short- and long-term impact of nuclear weapons testing upon humans and the environment.

Doug Boreham, associate professor of medical physics and applied radiation, will lead the excursion to the Japanese city in May. Hiroshima, which was bombed by the United States on August 6, 1945, has ironically become a model of the nuclear age.

“We'll be looking at the effects of the atomic bomb on human health,” Boreham said. “But we'll also be learning about what effect the bomb had on Japanese society, and on Hiroshima in particular.” He said that about 70 per cent of the city's electrical power now comes from nuclear energy.

The 12-day trip, which will depart May 1 and return May 12, is designed for high-impact experiential learning. There will be stops at key sites connected with the dropping of the atomic bomb, widely considered a defining moment in human history. Students will visit the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, a U.S.-based research lab that examines the health effects on survivors, and will attend lectures and demonstrations at the Hiroshima A-bomb Museum, the Peace Park, the A-Bomb Dome, and other locations near the bomb's hypo-centre. Testimonials from survivors will add the personal perspective of this historical event.

The trip is open to 45 graduate and undergraduate students. If there are spaces left over, Boreham will open it up to anyone else on campus interested in going. The deadline to register is February 2.
The cost, between $1,500 and $2,000, includes airfare, hotels, ground transportation and meals. Accommodation will range from hotels, youth hostels, and private billeting depending upon individual preference and budget.

Those interested in going are asked to contact course co-ordinators Doug Boreham (boreham@mcmaster.ca) or Fiona McNeill (fmcneill@mcmaster.ca) for information.