Using simple phantoms for teaching diagnostic and radiation therapy principles in hands‐on medical physics outreach
Cara Jean Ronish, Chad Ronish, Jessica M Fagerstrom · 2026
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Description
Cara Jean Ronish describes two hands-on activities that teach medical physics with simple model objects called phantoms. Her 2026 case report presents a single lesson plan covering external beam radiation therapy and diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging, built from fabricated and shop-bought materials.
In the imaging activity, students use handheld survey meters and sealed radioactive check sources to hunt for a hidden tumour inside a phantom, meeting measurement variability and diagnostic uncertainty directly. In the therapy activity, a gelatin phantom holding an embedded target, with wooden skewers standing in for radiation beams shows why precision, geometry, and planning matter. First built for secondary students, the activities now serve audiences from middle school to community groups, and materials were shared at national meetings in 2025. Ronish explains how teachers can adjust depth and pacing for different learners.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Cara Jean Ronish, Chad Ronish, Jessica M Fagerstrom |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 25 KB |
| LICENSE | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |