Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Activity

Write a secret message

In this activity, students use a UV light-emitting diode pen to write secret messages and investigate a range of objects to see if or how they fluoresce.

Invisible fluorescent ink under an UV light.

UV fluorescence

See more

Information can be kept secret using invisible fluorescent ink that can only be seen under UV light.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Referencing Hub media

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain why an invisible dye fluoresces when UVA shines on it

  • use UV light to investigate objects to see if and how they fluoresce.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do.

Write a secret message

WORD•921.42 KB

Glossary

Published: 29 July 2008Updated: 1 March 2013
Referencing Hub articles

Explore related content

Scrambled sentence

Activity

Scrambled sentence

This activity is designed to explicitly teach ideas about the nature of science. It contains no specific science content knowledge. ...

Read more
Hiding in plain sight

Activity

Hiding in plain sight

Fish use colouring and camouflage to disguise themselves. This adaptation helps the fish blend in with their surroundings.

Read more
From the smallest bones come the biggest secrets

Article

From the smallest bones come the biggest secrets

Dr Nic Rawlence tells us about the amazing research by one of his students, who developed a specialised technique that ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato