Seeing in the dark

Night Sight

V.A.L. Guide for Animals Try-It is now available

Owls, bats, and other nocturnal animals can see quite well in the dark. Can people see in the dark too?

Objective: to experience the ability to see (or discern) objects in the dark.

Background:	Outdoors, at night, without a flashlight can be very scary for some children. In this activity, the children will learn that they can see – or at least see well enough to discern objects in the dark. By observing the shapes, they will be able to tell what the object is.
Skills:	Normal vision
Age:	Grades 1 – adult
Materials:	None
Activity:	Discuss how different birds and animals can see better at night than during the day. Ask the children if they have ever played any games outside, at night, without flashlights. (Some may have, others may not want to entertain that idea.) Explain that you are going to take them on a walk in the dark – without flashlights. If the children are very hesitant, you may want to use a rope that they can hold on to, while they are walking. Take the children outside. You may want to just sit at first until their eyes get accustom to the dark. Once they are comfortable, have them walk on a road or path. They will need about 30 minutes for their eyes to get fully adjusted. Now ask for one person to be the "volunteer". Have that person turn away from the group and let the rest of the group members take one – five steps off the path. They can "hide" by crouching down, trying to look like a tree, or maintain some other position. Once everyone is in place, let the volunteer turn around and try to find the other group members. Should the volunteer not find all the members within a given amount of time, ask them to identify themselves. You may allow the volunteer to walk up and back on the path while searching for the participants.
Discussion:	Was it easy or hard to find the members of the group? What gave them away? How well were you able to see them? How could you tell them apart from the trees and other things that were along the path?
NOTES:	Do not use or let the participants use any type of illuminating watch. Looking at this illumination will keep your eyes from adjusting to the darkness. Clothing is important. Certain inks will trap light, making that person visible. Light colors reflect even the smallest amount of light. These persons are usually found first. Even black clothes can give the person away because the objects – like trees – are not black and the light reflection is different.

Get our free newsletter and new activity every month.