Last year in Grade 4, we spoke at length about different ways of producing light. Students found out about how light can come from the sun, from a burning substance and from electrical devices to name a few. It was a very hands-on, interesting unit that students enjoyed very much.
More than any of these ways of producing light, students were fascinated to learn about bioluminescence.
This is a phenomenon wherein light is generated chemically by living things. The most easily-relatable example would be the Angler Fish, aka "the one with the glowing thing on its head that almost ate Nemo". Plankton can also show bioluminescence, and can make water glow brightly when they are disturbed at night. I found this link on a teachers' resource site, and was amazed by what it showed.
During a time of high plankton levels (a Red Tide), surfers spent the night riding waves filled with bioluminescent creatures. The results are.... well, I'll let you see. Click on Full Screen to get the full effect! Remember that there is almost no artificial light, just plankton!
Red Tide Surfing San Diego 2011 Bioluminescence from Loghan Call on Vimeo.
I was amazed by the range of colours! As promised, here is another curriculum-related link. This link goes to a game that will help refresh some of the knowledge your child acquired last year about mapping. It is quite simple, but has some good reminders and is very interactive.
http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/toolsforadventure/games/adventure.html
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