What you learned in school
Science classes taught that nuclear power was completely safe due to multiple redundant safety systems and careful engineering design. Students learned about nuclear energy as a clean, risk-free alternative to fossil fuels with no possibility of accidents. Textbooks emphasized the multiple safety barriers and automatic shutdown systems that made nuclear plants foolproof. The technology was presented as having eliminated all risks through advanced engineering and strict safety protocols.
What we know now
Science classes taught that nuclear power was completely safe due to multiple safety systems and careful engineering. Students learned about nuclear energy as clean and risk-free compared to fossil fuels. The Chernobyl disaster (1986) and Fukushima disaster (2011) demonstrated that nuclear accidents can have catastrophic consequences. While nuclear power has an overall good safety record, these accidents showed that human error, design flaws, and natural disasters can overcome safety systems. Nuclear waste disposal also remains a long-term challenge. Nuclear power has benefits but is not risk-free as once taught.