Abstract
Light pollution is a global and fast growing type of environmental pollution. This pollution is caused by poorly designed lighting or people’s insensitivity. Because most people do not know about light pollution and the harm it causes to natural life. Many scientific studies show that light pollution negatively affects the health of both humans and wildlife. Our aim in this study is to raise awareness of students about light pollution and to design various parks that will give priority to light pollution with STEM applications. Thus, while my students were gaining awareness about light pollution; They created a design that would reduce light pollution using the fields of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering.
Aim
Our STEM activity is planned with primary school students aged 10-11. One of the main goals of this activity is to raise awareness about light pollution. The second is to enable our students to illuminate the parks they have designed according to the STEM activity plan in a way that does not cause light pollution by establishing a simple electrical circuit. They combined their designs and engineering skills with science and mathematics to create a self-confident design.
Good lighting doesn’t just happen. It’s designed.
IALD (International Association of Lighting Designer
Time needed: 3 hours
Event Calendar
- ENGAGE:
In order to draw attention to the subject, the teacher showed photos about light pollution to the students in the first step of our activity and he wanted to students comment on these photos.
- EXPLORE:
In the second phase of the activity, the teacher asked students to do research on light pollution and gave time to discuss the research results with their friends.
- EXPLAIN:
In this part, the teacher gave information about light pollution because one of the indispensable factors in STEM activities is the delivery of the curriculum.
The Light
The importance of light cannot be denied in the life of a person who needs light since his existence. With the first fire discovery in the world, fire, which has an important place in human life, meets the need for warming and light. Today’s life has brought along many technological possibilities for people.
Besides the positive aspects of these facilities; Environmental problems have increased as a result of each technological work interfering with nature and environment more and there are great debates about how to solve these problems .
Light Pollution
For the comfort of people, light sources have been developed with technology and have started to have harmful effects on people and the environment due to incorrect use. Light pollution, which is overused and negatively affects the natural environment, occurs due to incorrect lighting and excessive lighting.
Light pollution and its causes
Light pollution is the use of light at the wrong place, the wrong amount, the wrong direction, and the wrong time. For this reason, it has become difficult to spot the stars at night in big cities today.
Types of light pollution
1. Sky Flash
2. Misdirection of light
3. Glare
4. Excessive lighting
5. The uneven pile of light
6. Vertical light
7. Flashing flashy light
Sources of Light Pollution
Main sources of light pollution:
Road, street and street lighting
Wrong and excessive illumination of parks, gardens and sports areas
Facade lighting of touristic facilities and buildings
Billboards
Indoor and window lighting
Direct lights sent to the atmosphere due to the wrong selection and orientation of the fixtures
Lighting made for security purposes
Lights overflowing from houses and buildings.
The Damages of Light Pollution and Its Effects on Natural Life
Light pollution, especially high sky glare, negatively affects astronomy studies. “According to a study, while the number of stars visible at night in rural areas is about 2000, this number is about 5 in an over-lit urban center. The number of stars that could be seen centuries ago was around 5000.
The most important negative effect on the human body is that the Melatonin hormone is not secreted or decreased in the light environment.
The most important factor that threatens the life of living things is the deterioration of the ecological balance and the resulting population change and the extinction of some living species.
Too much light in cities at night can cause air pollution, according to a study by the University of Colorado and the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). - ELABORATE:
Mathematics Integration
At this stage, the students are briefly told about angle and percentage calculations in mathematics.
Technology Integration
At this stage, the necessary infrastructure is prepared for students to use 21st century skills and produce collaborative products. The teacher gives a list of sample materials. Students choose materials suitable for their designs and create their designs. - EVALUATE:
The teacher makes peer evaluation and process evaluation during the evaluation phase.
All visuals belong to the Author – Attribution CC-BY