Instructions, Photos, and Videos for Solar Eclipse Day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

Making UV Bracelets

Suggested Materials (Amazon)
UV Beads 
Cording

UV BRACELET
Click HERE for instructional document
Materials:

• UV beads (also known as solar active or sun-sensitive beads, available online or at science stores)
• Stretch cord or elastic thread (for making bracelets)
• Additional beads (colorful, non-UV reactive) for decoration (optional)
• Scissors
• Clasps (optional, as you can simply tie the bracelets)

Instructions:

• Discuss UV Rays:
• Start by having a brief discussion with the kids about what UV rays are and how they can affect our skin. Explain how the UV beads work - they change color when exposed to UV rays, which are present in sunlight.

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Stringing the Beads:

• Show the kids how to string the beads onto the cord or thread. You can create a pattern using the UV beads and the non-UV reactive beads, or simply use UV beads alone.

Testing the Bracelets:

• Now comes the fun part! Take the kids outside into the sunlight to see their bracelets change color. Discuss the changes they observe.
• If it's not sunny, you can also use a UV flashlight to demonstrate the effect.

Discussion and Observation:

• After testing the bracelets, gather the kids and discuss the results. Encourage them to describe the changes they observed and to think about what caused the beads to change color.

How they Work:UV beads are made of a special type of plastic that contains a pigment called a UV photochromic dye. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as sunlight, the UV beads undergo a chemical reaction that causes the molecules in the dye to change structure. This structural change results in the absorption of UV light, which triggers the dye to change color. The beads may change from white to vibrant colors like pink, blue, purple, or yellow depending on the intensity of the UV light present. This color change is reversible, meaning that when the beads are no longer exposed to UV light, they will gradually return to their original white color as the molecules revert to their initial structure. UV beads are excellent educational tools for demonstrating the presence and intensity of UV light in the environment.

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