"Defending the Dark", Connected, Level 4 – Seeing Beyond, November 2019
14 November 2019
This article introduces the science of astronomy while explaining the issue of light pollution and technologies available to reduce it. It raises awareness of why this issue is so important for humans and our fellow creatures.
You can find the article and the teaching notes here:
"Defending the Dark", Connected, Level 4 – Seeing Beyond, November 2019
Other useful resources
- Astronomy and e-textiles – The students in this project made an e-textiles outcome to celebrate Matariki. The introduction to the task was to watch a video and discuss light pollution.
- NZ Starlight Conference: Is light pollution the next global crisis? – The New Zealand Starlight conference brought together participants from multiple different backgrounds to discuss the interrelated themes of dark-sky protection, the effects of artificial light at night, and all aspects of lighting technology and astro-tourism.
- New Zealand night sky enthusiasts protect the dark – Martinborough sort the advice of the International Dark-Sky Association to alter their street and highway lighting plans.
- Dark sky reserve networks usher in earth law – This article explores some of the ways governments, cities, legal enterprises, and individuals can reduce light pollution.
Discussion questions
These could be class discussions with teacher guidance.
- How have the changes to lighting, introduced to reduce light pollution, affected peoples sensory perception? What are the short and long term impacts of these changes?
- What are some of the solutions that technologists have developed to reduce light pollution?
- What information from other disciplines have the technologists used to develop solutions to light pollution?
- What is the creative and critical thinking that technologists have used to create solutions to light pollution?
Indicators of progression for discussion starters
| Component | Indicator | Level |
| Characteristics of technology |
| 4 |