Recently, the Grade 7 students designed and carried out a scientific inquiry investigating the effectiveness of one material’s ability to protect against exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
In order to test the effectiveness of their selected materials, which included sunscreens, fabrics, lenses, sand and saltwater, the students used special plastic beads designed to change colour when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The intensity of the colour change depends on the amount of UV radiation that is present.
After UV exposure, the students rated the colour change of each bead protected by their selected material, and compared their results with each other, and with beads placed in positive and negative control groups.
It was a very interesting and informative inquiry, which will end with each student receiving beads on a bracelet to take home and use to monitor any future UV exposure.
Well done Grade 7s!
