In December, we hosted a fluorescence and phosphorescence-themed play date following our Admissions Coffee. We had a blast!
Several guests brought a sample from their collection, and everyone enjoyed sharing the stories behind how the piece was acquired from those that received it from a special relative or found it themselves, and what it was. A geologist joined with his own samples, and helped identify and discover the pieces further. The children especially enjoyed learning from him and looking at his super cool samples. They also enjoyed the rock climbing wall and jumping equipment and the opportunity to play and make new friends.
Lot’s of collaboration and discussion.
One of the children brought a dinosaur tooth to pass around. It didn’t produce any visible fluorescence and phosphorescence but was very much enjoyed anyway.
We looked at a number of local and exotic rocks and fossils. This includes our state rock, and a sample we collected ourselves from a Silurian outcrop just south of Chicago this fall.
We discovered that our classroom floor marble is unintentionally fluorescent.
In an extension of the activity, children enjoyed drawing with light on the floor and on our intentionally fluorescent walls as well as a craft project using photosensitive beads.
Here’s a sample of various rocks and minerals with regular light.
And here’s that same collection under a UV light.