UV METER

[deleted-453047]

Last year I performed an experimennt testing the effectiveness of various sun screens with a Solarmeter that we purchased. This year our class will visit the Kruger Park and I was wondering if there is an applicable experiment to perform in nature with the UV meter? Thank you Jané Cilliers Uplands College White River South Africa Grade 11

[MrsDez]

Once you figure out what variables you want to test in a project, you can come up with what would work for your environment:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... bles.shtml

For example, you can measure UV levels under different shirt colors worn outdoors. Something along those lines where you find something to measure with your meter, but can control the variables. Shadows would be interesting, but it is hard to give shadows a measurement unless you do it based on time of day? Just some things to think about while you come up with an project that will work for your outdoor trip. Hope that helps.

[deleted-370050]

Hi Cornecilliers,

Adding onto the other expert's great suggestions, you could do an experiment that measures the UV levels in different habitats of the park, such as under a tree, by a pond, or in the grass. This could allow you to investigate how different species of animals that typically live in these habitats withstand different UV levels. Like the other expert suggested, you could do an experiment that measures UV levels at different times of the day as the lighting is different. I found a Science Buddies experiment that outlines this: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p028.shtml Since you are on a field trip, this timing may pose a problem, but you could even measure UV in 15-20 minute time intervals. Additionally, you could do an experiment where you look at areas of more sparse vs more concentration vegetation and measure the UV levels in each area, as UV alters DNA in plants, which may affect photosynthesis levels.

Hope these ideas help!
~Catherine M.