Monthly Archives: April 2017

Learn more about how UVA and UVB radiation can cause skin damage and how SPF can reduce skin damage.

Learn more about the Science of Skin Colour

Study: 

“Blue light effect on retinal pigment epithelial cells by display devices”

Learn more about how blue light that is emitted from cell phones and televisions kills retinal cells:

 
Blue Light has a wavelength of 400 nm to 450 nm.

The UV index (a linear scale) was developed by Canadian Scientists in 1992.  Later the scale was standardized for international use by the World Health Organization (WHO).  

The scale is used to help people protect their skin from sun damage (DNA damage, skin cancer, aging and immunosuppresion).

5 Fast Facts:

1. The UV of potentially greatest damage occupies a spectrum of wavelength 295 to 325 nm.  
2. The shorter the wavelength the more damaging the potential for sun damage
3. The UV Power Spectrum (units Watts/square metre) is multiplied on a weighting curve.  
4. The UV index can be used over the whole spectrum (erythemal action spectrum).
5. Environmental Canada Scientists (B. Kerr, T. McElroy and D. Wardle) developed the modern UV index.  Canada was the first country to introduce official predictions of UV levels.

Join in the fun and learn more about how to help the planet keep it’s soil alive!

April 16 – April 22

“It’s been 30 years since the Soil Conservation Council of Canada assumed the lead role in hosting National Soil Conservation Week during the third week of April each year. Meant to promote soil conservation awareness, National Soil Conservation Week is a unique and valuable opportunity to keep soil conservation front and centre with all Canadians.”

 
Try this interesting experiment to determine the biological activity of your soil:

Is it possible to build a safe nuclear reactor for household energy use?  Learn more about Taylor Wilson’s plan to build safe small-scale reactors.

Nuclear Boy scouts – Learn more about Boy Genius Taylor Wilson who built a nuclear reactor when he was 14

Site C Dam Informaton:

BC Hydro: Site C Dam Construction

Report on water goverence – Site C Dam is not sustainable

Learn more about Earth Day

Beryllium – Periodic table of videos

5 fast facts about Beryllium

1. Be – is the chemical symbol for Beryllium
2. Be – is what the gemstone emerald is made of
3. Be – isotopes are created in stars
4. Be – has a small atomic radii
5. Be – has a low atomic number (# of protons) – this makes beryllium transparent to energetic particles

Why does light pass through glass? (Exploratorium Snack)

Soap-Film Interference Model – (Exploratorium Snack)

Learn how to use frequency and wavelength to determine how fast light is travelling.

How fast does light travel?  (Finally A use for peeps!)

Marla Spivak – Ted Talks/Bees are in trouble

Learn more about Cheerios Cereals troubled campaign to help bees survive.

Bee Campaign runs into trouble – what does science tell us?