Nighttime Illumination Exploration: A Case Analysis

In the land of Aoraki-Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and Aotea/Great Barrier International Dark Sky Sanctuary, a group of 5th and 6th grade students embarked on an enlightening journey. Led by teacher Melissa Coton, they delved into the world of light pollution, a lesser-known yet significant issue that affects both the natural world and astronomical research.

Melissa, a teacher researcher in the education research project Citizen Scientists in the Classroom, was supported by Kinderforscher Camp (Children's Research Camp). The project, funded through the Teaching & Learning Research Initiative, provided resources and opportunities for students to critically analyse data and understand what it was showing them.

The students' astronomy unit began with an introduction to light pollution and its impact on humans, the natural world, and astronomical scientists. They discussed the physical properties of light and the concept of light pollution, laying the foundation for their exploration.

The Globe at Night citizen science project was a key tool in their investigation. Participants upload photographic data about light pollution, which the students used to notice patterns and question why some regions showed little or no light pollution. This data served as a platform to explore and discuss data collection and the reliability of evidence.

The Loss of the Night app also played a role in their learning, helping students monitor skyglow and light pollution by indicating how well they could see eight stars in their local night sky.

Following the Globe at Night unit, students continued to develop their ability to critique evidence through other citizen science projects like Orangutan Nest Watch, the Monarch Butterfly Tagging Programme, and Beluga Bits.

As the students honed their skills, they also began to grapple with the challenge of transferring these skills to other contexts. Despite this, they continued to show progress, making this their first time explicitly focusing on critiquing evidence in a classroom setting.

The International Dark-Sky Association, recognized as the authority on light pollution, is one of the leading organizations combating light pollution worldwide. The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, another International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, became one of just 21 such reserves in the world in 2023.

While campaigns like the NightLights campaign to reduce light pollution are primarily organized in Germany, the students' work serves as a testament to the global impact that citizen science can have in raising awareness and fostering change.

As these students continue to grow and learn, their understanding of light pollution and the importance of citizen science will undoubtedly contribute to a brighter future for both the natural world and the stars above.

Nighttime Illumination Exploration: A Case Analysis