Activity:  Examining Visible Light portion of the EM spectrum

Pre-Activity:  Intro to EM radiation.

Do Now:  Share your ideas on infrared cameras and seals.

Aim:  To introduce how scientists use creativity and tools to solve problems.

Major Assignment:  Note-taking on the visible light wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Processes, Skills, Goals:  Understanding the basics of visible light EM radiation in the context of remote sensing and natural habitat analysis.

Content:  The Visible Light Portion of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Instructions:  Ask students to use light filters to examine the room around them.  Use an RGB editor to show how numbers transform into representations of light.  Explain that optical satellites transform sensed light into numbers and transmits them to earth.  Landsat separates light into bands.  RS technicians use computer processes to assemble these bands of information into models that demonstrate significant environmental information that would otherwise not be possible.  Show examples of Landsat data using the seven different bands.  Narrow the focus to an impact on marine life.

Materials:  Slide show of visible wavelength EM definitions and examples.

Guiding Questions: What moves when light waves race around the room?  (EM energy).  Can light waves burn with their energy?  What use are light waves?  What happens when we look around the room using only one color?  What three colors does TV use to recreate the range of colors we perceive as we watch it?  How do numbers create different colors?  Can we feel light?  What can we learn by analyzing bands of light in new ways?

Homework:   Examine the range of colors of foods in your life.  Why are they that color?  What are good colors?  What are bad colors?  Why might that be your perception and judgement?