Evaluation of the Educational Effect of the Expedmental Demonstration for Bioluminescence by Using Freeze-dried Vargula (formerly Cypridina) Hilgendorfii Bodies as a Teaching Material

摘要

The bioluminescence has been one of the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing, attractive, and impressive natural phenomena for the people since early times. For instruction of the bioluminescence, the demonstration of Vargula hilgendorfii (formerly Cypridina hilgendorfii, Umi-hotaru in Japanese, meaning Sea-firefly) bioluminescence was chosen and the procedures of the experimental practice were investigated. Freeze-dried Vargula bodies with high bioluminescent activity, producing strong light in small amounts, were prepared and used for the experiment. Eight times of the experimental practice were performed during 2006 and 2007 at schools or public facilities. The practice proved to be educationally useful and effective for students to study the overview and fundamental of bioluminescence and to evoke the interest in natural sciences by analyzing the questionnaire data. School teachers can perform the experiment very easily and can gain much educational advantage from the wonderful and beautiful natural phenomena, because no harmful substances would be included in this teaching material and no special technique and disposal treatment are required for the experiment.