Coady 1

Paul Coady
Debra Jizi
UWRT 1103-013
11 December 2015
EIP Reflection
My idea of nuclear energy changed from beginning to end from improbable to hopeful. I
just assumed that nuclear energy would continue to slowly advance without anyone really paying
attention to it, but I was unaware of the progress already being made. The most significant thing
that changed my idea of nuclear energy was discovering what nuclear fusion is. When I found
out that nuclear fusion was something that hadnt yet been completely developed and
theoretically stands as a perfect solution to an energy crisis, I began to believe that the evolution
of nuclear energy is very possible.
I began my research with a book from the UNC Charlotte database that gave me
information about the potential of nuclear energy. This source gave me useful information, but it
still didnt give me enough information to satisfy my research question. It did, however, serve as
a solid basis for the rest of my research because it assured me that innovation in nuclear energy
was possible and worth exploring further. My next source gave me a lot of information about
nuclear fission and how it can be controllable or uncontrollable depending on the situation. I
figured that such inconsistency would imply that fission is a dangerous process and that fusion is
clearly the better option of the two. My research was then directed towards nuclear fusion as this
was the answer to my research question. I found that the WX-7 and ITER are fusion reactors in
the making and could result in the advancement of nuclear energy.

Coady 2

I was surprised to find that there are so many uncertainties involved with nuclear fission
in boiling water reactors. This information, or lack thereof, directed my search even further
towards the progress of nuclear fusion.
Talking headers made it easier to understand what it was that needed to be answer when
writing my research essay. I wrote informally because I wrote the essay as if a conversation was
being held on the page.
My small critique group helped the entire process because they gave me suggestions as to
some things I could add to clear up some confusion on my annotated works cited.
This inquiry project has been different from other research projects that Ive done
because Ive never gathered information the way I did for this project. In the past, I have
compiled a list of sources and annotated each one, but I hadnt had such an open ended
assignment. Before, I knew what it was that I needed to research because I was trying to
establish an argument. The major difference was in the way that I used the information I
obtained. I could have manipulated the information I needed before, but this time I had to take
the information as it was.
The biggest thing that I learned that I didnt already know was that France is the world
leader in nuclear energy. I didnt realize that any country was so influenced by energy found
from resources other than coal. I also learned that people are currently trying to perfect nuclear
fusion reactors. I learned that not all essays are necessarily for making an argument. Some essays
are just to expand ones knowledge on a subject that they previously had no knowledge of.