Why are neon signs so bright and colorful? Scholars discover how artists create neon signs and find out that neon is not the only gas they use in their production. Next, they explore the history of neon signs and how their development brought life to the town of Las Vegas, Nevada. Viewers investigate which gases produce which colors and how different forms of energy are used in getting these lights to glow. 

Concepts

behavior of gases, gases, chemical elements, electric currents, ions, chemical energy, photons, electrons, wavelength, helium

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have a glass bender Skype in with the class, or find a video that explains the process further
• Use as an introduction hook to a unit on the different forms of energy

Classroom Considerations

• Requires some background knowledge of chemistry terms

Pros

• Gives interesting facts to engage students
• Provides additional teacher resources

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4