Here at Fun Science, two of our favourite things are being out in the sun, and star gazing! So in this kit we are going to explore some constellations and learn about the light that comes from the sun! In your kit you should have:
A selection of beads
1 UV reactive bead
Elastic
1 finger torch
1 piece of card
2 cupcake cases
2 star constellations
1 cocktail stick
You will need:
Sticky tape
*Optional* milk (dairy or non-dairy will work)
*Optional* Glass or clear cup
UV Bracelet
Our sun emits (gives out) lots of different types of light. The light that we see is called visible light. There is also a type of light that comes from the sun which is called ultra-violet light, or UV light. This UV light can be harmful to our skin which is why we wear sun cream and cover up when it is sunny outside.
UV light is invisible, so we can’t see it, but if you look in your selection of beads, you should see that one looks a little different. This is a special UV bead that changes colour when it is exposed to UV light. Lights in our house don’t give out UV light, so it won’t change colour indoors, but if you take it outside you should see it change colour! If it is a sunny day it will be a much stronger colour change.
Use your elastic and beads to make a bracelet which will change colour in the sun!
Star Constellation Projector
Have you ever been star gazing? Constellations are a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern and are usually named after what they look like or a mythological creature. You may have heard of some different names for constellations already, such as the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt. You are going to make a star constellation projector so you can see your favourite constellation whenever you like!
Make a tube by rolling your piece of card (if you want to decorate it, do it before you roll it) , the end needs to be the right size to put the cupcake case over. Secure with sticky tape.
Place the cupcake case over the top of one end of the tube. Secure with sticky tape. Make sure it is taut (tight), like a drum.
Choose the constellation you want to copy.
Copying the stars on your constellation card, poke holes in the cupcake case using the cocktail stick.
Shine your torch through the open end, holding the projector close to a surface like a table or a wall to see your constellation!
*Optional Extra Activity* Why is the Sky Blue?
If you have a few drop of milk and a white torch you can do this extra experiment. Most grownups have a torch on their phone so you may be able to ask them to borrow it. Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or why it changes colour during a sunrise and sunset? This easy experiment helps us to understand why this happens! Watch the video from Chemical Cress to watch her do the experiment and explain the science behind it then give it a go yourself.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wAp8U9DyIA[/embedyt]
Fill a clear glass or cup with water.
Put a few drops of milk in the water.
Shine a torch (must be white light, a phone torch would work) directly above the milky water. It should appear blue if you look through the side of the glass or cup.
Now try moving your torch slowly down the side of the glass and look through the opposite side. The water should start to turn from blue to orange, like a sunset!
In your kit you should have:
Our sun emits (gives out) lots of different types of light. The light that we see is called visible light. There is also a type of light that comes from the sun which is called ultra-violet light, or UV light. This UV light can be harmful to our skin which is why we wear sun cream and cover up when it is sunny outside.
UV light is invisible, so we can’t see it, but if you look in your selection of beads, you should see that one looks a little different. This is a special UV bead that changes colour when it is exposed to UV light. Lights in our house don’t give out UV light, so it won’t change colour indoors, but if you take it outside you should see it change colour! If it is a sunny day it will be a much stronger colour change.
Use your elastic and beads to make a bracelet which will change colour in the sun!
Have you ever been star gazing? Constellations are a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern and are usually named after what they look like or a mythological creature. You may have heard of some different names for constellations already, such as the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt. You are going to make a star constellation projector so you can see your favourite constellation whenever you like!