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Explore the electromagnetic spectrum

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Astronauts live beyond the Earth’s protective ozone layer and, while they still are in the magnetosphere, they're exposed to higher levels of radiation. Much of this radiation is emitted from the sun in the form of visible and invisible light. In this lesson, students use a prism in sunlight to learn that light has frequencies and wavelengths that determine the colors of light we see. Then, students use ultraviolet (UV) sensitive beads to investigate UV levels of different light sources. Next, they build a spectrometer to measure light wavelengths including infrared and UV light levels in their environment. Finally, students research a local UV index to determine UV radiation around them and discuss the sun protection factor (SPF) levels for sunscreen.

Materials developed in partnership with the NASA STEM on Station team

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