Be Seen Be Safe Activity
Be Seen Be Safe Activity Card It is a great day for Gem. Her new bike has arrived. She is going for a ride with Cosmic to visit Aunt Stella. She puts on her favourite black tracksuit and pedals off to meet Cosmic. A little later, Aunt Stella is SO worried. It’s gone as dark as night outside. Where are they? Suddenly there’s a loud knock, rat-a-tat-tat, on the door. Oh no! It’s a policeman with Gem and Cosmic. They are looking very sheepish. “I nearly knocked these two off their bikes,” grumbles the policeman. “They were riding round, no lights and just look at what they are wearing! No wonder I couldn’t see them.” “Oh dear!” says Aunt Stella. “We need to make sure you can be seen and be safe in the dark. Now I wonder what we could do? I think we may need some help.” Your challenge Find out if Gem and Cosmic can wear something that will help them to be better seen in the dark. Cosmic thinks they need to wear something shiny Gem doesn’t think what we wear makes a difference Aunt Stella thinks they need to wear something white What do you think? Discuss • Why do you think Gem and Cosmic couldn’t be seen? • Was it just because they didn’t have lights on their bikes? • Have you noticed what you can see in the dark? • How will you find out if different materials can be seen in the dark? • What will you do to make sure it is a fair test?
Getting started You need to compare how well each material can be seen. Make a dark space by drawing curtains, working in a corridor or other dimly lit area, to help you see the difference between good and bad light reflectors. Which materials can you see the best? What difference does having more light make? What can you see in complete darkness? Do some colours work better than others? 2/2 Test your ideas Make a table to record your results. Material How well does it reflect? Complete darkness A little bit of light A lot of light Shiny material White material Dark material Share your ideas How did your investigation go? Was there anything you could have improved about your test? Why not design something for Cosmic and Gem to wear? Extra things to do Find out if you can see reflectors in total darkness. Design a warning poster to help children to be safe at night. British Science Association Registered Charity No. 212479 and SC039236
