The American National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) produced the “Quality Lighting Teaching Kit” for the International Year of Light (IYL2015).
Their goal is to increase student and public awareness of light pollution issues, dark skies preservation, quality lighting and energy conservation. In doing so, the program emphasizes the use of proper optical design in achieving quality lighting that promotes both energy efficiency and energy conservation and protects an endangered natural resource: our dark skies.
NOAO: “Poor quality lighting not only impedes astronomy research, but creates safety issues, affects human circadian sensitivities, disrupts ecosystems, and wastes billions of dollars/year in energy consumption and carbon emissions.”
The kit and activities:
The concepts and practices of quality lighting is explored through problem-based learning, hands-on/minds-on activities, as well as assessment probes. The six activities use quality lighting to solve realistic cases on how light pollution affects wildlife, the night sky, our eyes, energy consumption, safety and light trespass into buildings. The impact of the kits is amplified by providing professional development using a tutorial video created at NOAO and conducting question and answer sessions via Google+ Hangouts for program instructors.
Share:
