Teacher Resource
Light Pollution
1. Discuss the Light Pollution story with another student and record the main points of your discussion.
2. Working in pairs, define what light pollution is.
3. How does light pollution affect the environment?
4. How can streetlights be changed to reduce light pollution?
5. What impact can artificial light have on the human body?
6. Describe the affect lights can have on some sea animals.
7. What is the Mayor of New York doing to help reduce light pollution?
8. Give some examples of how light pollution can be reduced.
9. By reducing light pollution, we will have a better view of the______.
10. What was surprising about this story?
Negotiate with students how many activities they complete from each section.
This activity provides the opportunity for students to explore/build their knowledge on, attitudes and values towards light pollution. Students will respond to a range of questions before and after watching the BtN story. Teachers will gain insight from students’ responses which can be used to plan follow-up lessons.
· Before watching the BtN Light Pollution story ask students to respond to the following questions:
o Have you heard of light pollution?
o What do you think it is?
o How is artificial lighting useful to you? Think about how you use artificial lighting at home, school and outside.
· After watching the BtN Light Pollution story ask students to respond to the following questions:
o What did you SEE in this video?
o What do you THINK about what you saw in this video?
o What does this video make your WONDER?
o What did you LEARN from this story?
o How did this story make you FEEL?
o What was SURPRISING about this story?
o How has your THINKING changed since watching this story?
· What does earth look like at night? Brainstorm what you think earth would look like at night looking down from space. Using the internet find images of earth at night. View these images taken by a NASA satellite https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/news/earth-at-night.html. Respond to the following questions.
o What do you see?
o What do these images tell you about our energy usage at night?
o What surprised you about these images?
o Imagine if these photos were taken 100 years ago. Do you think they would look the same or different? Why?
· Brainstorm ways in which we depend on light in our everyday lives. Think about artificial lights used in the home, at school and in the community.
o Imagine what it would be like if you couldn’t use artificial lighting for one day. How would it impact on your everyday activities?
· Make a list of questions you have about light pollution. Use the internet to find answers to your questions. Use your research findings, to write a magazine article, news report or information report about light pollution. Share your research and opinions about light pollution on a class blog or wiki. Below are some example questions:
o What is light pollution?
o What problems are caused by excessive lighting?
o Who or what is being affected by light pollution?
o Can anything be done about it? What are some solutions?
· Create your own quiz about light pollution. Include a variety of question types in your quiz, including multiple choice, true or false or fill in the blanks. Ask your classmates to complete your quiz and then give them their scores.
· Evaluate how light affects the quality of your sleep, by conducting a sleep study.
o Before conducting your sleep study, use the internet to find out more about circadian rhythms and melatonin. Present your findings in an interesting way.
o Conduct a sleep study to learn more about your sleep patterns and how you use technological devices before bedtime. Record your data in a journal on a daily basis over one week.
o Plot your findings in a column graph. Analyse your findings. What does this graph tell you about your sleep patterns when using technology before bedtime? Do you think you sleep better when you don’t use technological devices before bedtime? Compare the amount of sleep you get to someone else in the class.
· How can you take action against light pollution? Brainstorm ways that you can help reduce light pollution at home and at school. For example, you could turn lights off when you are not using them or install energy efficient light bulbs. Consider implementing a plan at your school to reduce the light pollution it creates.
· Light pollution is a major problem and something should be done about it!
o Discuss the above statement about light pollution and organise a classroom debate.
o Reflection:
§ How difficult was it to think of points to support one side of the argument?
§ Do you think you would have done a better job supporting the other side of the argument?
§ Was I able to convince others of my opinion?
§ Did my opinion change?
§ What did you learn from this activity?
· Plan, draft and publish an informative and persuasive text, to convey your researched information about light pollution and the possible solutions. Create a poster or postcard to illustrate your findings in an interesting way.
· How does light pollution affect the visibility of stars? How does the visibility of stars differ in urban to rural areas? Discuss as a class.
o Create a planetarium in your room using these simple instructions. Explore and create a range of constellations seen in the southern hemisphere.
http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/other-arts-crafts/science-projects-for-kids-the-incredible-universe1.htm
http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/planets/constellations/
CBBC Newsround – New York turns off its lights to help birds
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/32498843
Sea Turtle Conservancy – Threats from artificial lighting
http://www.conserveturtles.org/seaturtleinformation.php?page=lighting
Astronomical Society of SA – Light Pollution
https://www.assa.org.au/lightpollution
©ABC 2015