All That Glows - Exploring Fluorescence

Life Science Elementary and Middle School Science Fair Project
Photo Source: howstuffworks.com

Black lights are not only neat, they can actually be quite useful. Crime scene analysis. Counterfeit money detection. Detecting leaks in machinery. These are just a few of the ways black lights come in handy. Have you ever wondered, though, why certain items or fluids glow under these specialty lights and others do not? For students that enjoy life science and, of course, making things 'glow', check out the project resources below. Learning about UV light, the electromagnetic spectrum, phosphors, luminescence, etc. will help you predict what objects will/will not glow when placed under a black light.

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These resources will provide you with a great start on your project!