Blue LEDs have changed the way we use lights and enjoy visual entertainment. They were invented in the 1990s and are now used in stadiums, famous buildings, and even the Las Vegas Sphere. These special lights, called LEDs, make it possible to create exciting light shows that make watching events even more fun. LED technology has improved a lot since it first started. Engineers have made LEDs that give off more light, so they can be used in big places like stadiums.

Making blue LEDs was really hard because it was difficult to make the special material they need, called gallium nitride, without any problems. But blue LEDs are important because they help make other colors on displays and they can also be used to make white lights. Scientists are always trying to make LED technology better. Some researchers at Stanford University are trying out LEDs made from perovskite crystals. These LEDs are cheap to make and can be changed to different colors. But they still need to figure out how to make them more stable.

In Japan, researchers made a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work. Usually, blue LEDs need 4 volts to work, but this one only needs 1.47 volts. They were able to do this by finding a way to make the excited parts of the LED work together better to make more light. People are also looking into using LED technology for virtual reality and augmented reality devices. These devices need really bright LEDs to make clear pictures. Companies are trying to make micro LEDs that are even smaller than the ones we have now, so they can make devices that are even smaller and work better.

LED technology is always getting better, and scientists are always trying to do new things with it. There’s still a lot of room to grow and improve in the world of LEDs, and they can be used in many different ways. From big stadiums to famous buildings to personal devices, LEDs have changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment.

Original news source: The incredible power of blue LEDs (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each group a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article together and summarize the main points in a short news summary.
4. After they have finished, have each group share their news summary with the class.

– Word Association
Instructions:
1. Write the word “LED” on the board.
2. Instruct the students to brainstorm as many words or phrases associated with LED technology as they can in one minute.
3. After one minute, have the students share their words or phrases with the class.
4. As a class, discuss the different associations and connections made with LED technology.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Write the question “Do you think LED technology has had a positive impact on society?” on the board.
2. Have the students individually think about their answer to the question.
3. Divide the class into small groups and instruct them to discuss their opinions and reasons for their answers.
4. After the group discussion, have each group share their opinions with the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion where students can respond to and challenge each other’s opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on individual slips of paper.
2. Divide the class into pairs.
3. Instruct one student from each pair to pick a slip of paper with a vocabulary word.
4. The student must draw a picture to represent the word without using any letters or numbers.
5. The other student in the pair must guess the vocabulary word based on the drawing.
6. After each pair has had a turn, have a class discussion to review the definitions and meanings of the vocabulary words.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Instruct the students to imagine and discuss how LED technology might continue to evolve and be used in the future.
2. Divide the class into small groups and give them time to brainstorm and discuss their ideas.
3. After the group discussion, have each group share their future predictions with the class.
4. Facilitate a class discussion where students can respond to and build upon each other’s predictions.

Comprehension Questions:

1. When were blue LEDs invented?
2. What are blue LEDs used for?
3. Why were blue LEDs difficult to make?
4. How are blue LEDs made from perovskite crystals different from other LEDs?
5. How did researchers in Japan make a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work?
6. What are virtual reality and augmented reality devices?
7. Why are companies trying to make micro LEDs?
8. How have LEDs changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Blue LEDs have changed the way we use (1)______s and enjoy visual entertainment. They were invented in the 1990s and are now used in stadiums, famous buildings, and even the Las (3)______ Sphere. These special (2)______, called LEDs, make it possible to create exciting light shows that make (4)______ events even more fun. LED technology has improved a lot since it first started. Engineers have made LEDs that give off more light, so they can be used in big places like stadiums.

Making blue LEDs was really hard because it was difficult to make the special material they need, called gallium nitride, without any problems. But blue LEDs are important because they help make other colors on displays and they can also be used to make (5)______ lights. Scientists are always trying to make LED technology better. Some researchers at (6)______ University are trying out LEDs made from perovskite crystals. These LEDs are cheap to make and can be (7)______ to (8)______ colors. But they still need to figure out how to make them more stable.

In Japan, researchers made a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work. Usually, blue LEDs need 4 volts to work, but this one only needs 1.47 volts. They were able to do this by (9)______ a way to make the excited parts of the LED work together better to make more light. People are also (10)______ into using LED technology for virtual reality and augmented reality (11)______. These devices need really bright LEDs to make clear (12)______. Companies are trying to make micro LEDs that are even smaller than the ones we have now, so they can make devices that are even smaller and work (13)______.

LED (14)______ is always getting better, and scientists are always trying to do new (15)______ with it. There’s still a lot of room to grow and (16)______ in the world of LEDs, and they can be used in many different ways. From big stadiums to famous buildings to personal devices, LEDs have changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a blue LED and how is it different from other lights?
2. How would you feel if you could watch a light show using blue LEDs?
3. Do you like the idea of using blue LEDs in stadiums and famous buildings? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it is important for scientists to continue improving LED technology? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about the idea of using LEDs made from perovskite crystals? Do you think they will be successful?
6. How would you feel if you could use a blue LED device with just one AA battery?
7. Do you think LED technology has improved our enjoyment of visual entertainment? Why or why not?
8. What do you think about the idea of using LED technology in virtual reality and augmented reality devices?
9. How would you feel if you could have a device with even smaller micro LEDs? Why or why not?
10. Do you think there are any downsides to using LED technology? Why or why not?
11. What other ways do you think LEDs could be used in the future?
12. How would you feel if you could have LED lights in your home that change colors?
13. Do you think LED technology will continue to improve in the future? Why or why not?
14. What do you think about the idea of using LED lights for personal devices?
15. How has LED technology changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. LEDs
2. material
3. displays
4. researchers
5. battery
6. pictures
7. devices
8. entertainment

Meanings:
(a) Special lights used in stadiums and buildings
(b) Objects or tools used for a specific purpose
(c) People who study and experiment
(d) Images or photographs
(e) Activities or things that provide enjoyment or amusement
(f) Screens that show information or images
(g) Substance used to make something
(h) Object that provides power to something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When were blue LEDs invented?
(a) 1980s
(b) 1970s
(c) 1960s
(d) 1990s

2. What is the special material needed to make blue LEDs?
(a) silicon dioxide
(b) aluminum oxide
(c) gallium nitride
(d) titanium dioxide

3. Why are blue LEDs important?
(a) They help make other colors on displays and can make white lights.
(b) They are cheaper to make than other LEDs.
(c) They are more stable than other LEDs.
(d) They are brighter than other LEDs.

4. How many volts does a blue LED usually need to work?
(a) 2 volts
(b) 4 volts
(c) 6 volts
(d) 8 volts

5. What are researchers at Stanford University trying out with LEDs?
(a) LEDs made from silicon
(b) LEDs made from perovskite crystals
(c) LEDs made from aluminum
(d) LEDs made from titanium

6. How many volts does the blue LED made in Japan need to work?
(a) 2 volts
(b) 4 volts
(c) 1.47 volts
(d) 6 volts

7. What are companies trying to make with micro LEDs?
(a) Devices that are even smaller and work better
(b) Devices that are bigger and work better
(c) Devices that are cheaper to make
(d) Devices that use less power

8. How have LEDs changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment?
(a) They have made it possible to create virtual reality and augmented reality devices.
(b) They have made lights brighter and more colorful.
(c) They have made devices smaller and more portable.
(d) They have made it possible to create exciting light shows and are used in stadiums and famous buildings.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Blue LEDs were not invented in the 1990s and are not used in stadiums, famous buildings, and the Las Vegas Sphere.
2. LED technology is not being explored for use in virtual reality and augmented reality devices, with no efforts to create even smaller and brighter micro LEDs.
3. LEDs do not make it possible to create exciting light shows and enhance the experience of watching events.
4. LED technology has improved over time, with engineers developing LEDs that emit more light for use in large spaces like stadiums.
5. Researchers at Stanford University are experimenting with LEDs made from perovskite crystals, which are cheaper and can be changed to different colors.
6. Japanese researchers have developed a blue LED that only requires one AA battery to function, compared to the usual 4 volts.
7. Making blue LEDs was initially challenging due to difficulties in creating the necessary material called gallium nitride.
8. Blue LEDs are not important because they help create other colors on displays and cannot be used to produce white lights.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What are blue LEDs and how are they used in visual entertainment?
2. Why was it difficult to make blue LEDs in the past?
3. What are perovskite crystal LEDs and why are they important?
4. How did researchers in Japan make a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work?
5. How are companies trying to improve LED technology for virtual reality and augmented reality devices?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. When were blue LEDs invented?
Blue LEDs were invented in the 1990s.

2. What are blue LEDs used for?
Blue LEDs are used in stadiums, famous buildings, and even in visual entertainment like light shows.

3. Why were blue LEDs difficult to make?
Blue LEDs were difficult to make because it was hard to create the special material they needed, called gallium nitride, without any problems.

4. How are blue LEDs made from perovskite crystals different from other LEDs?
Blue LEDs made from perovskite crystals are cheaper to make and can be changed to different colors. However, they still need to figure out how to make them more stable.

5. How did researchers in Japan make a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work?
Researchers in Japan made a blue LED that only needs one AA battery to work by finding a way to make the excited parts of the LED work together better to produce more light.

6. What are virtual reality and augmented reality devices?
Virtual reality and augmented reality devices are devices that create a simulated or enhanced version of reality, allowing users to experience a different world or add virtual elements to the real world.

7. Why are companies trying to make micro LEDs?
Companies are trying to make micro LEDs because they are even smaller than the ones we have now, which means they can make devices that are smaller and work better, especially for virtual reality and augmented reality devices.

8. How have LEDs changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment?
LEDs have changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment by allowing for brighter and more vibrant displays in stadiums, famous buildings, and personal devices. They have also made it possible to create exciting light shows, enhancing the experience of watching events.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) light
(2) lights
(3) Vegas
(4) watching
(5) white
(6) Stanford
(7) changed
(8) different
(9) finding
(10) looking
(11) devices
(12) pictures
(13) better
(14) technology
(15) things
(16) improve
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. LEDs
Answer: (a) Special lights used in stadiums and buildings

2. material
Answer: (g) Substance used to make something

3. displays
Answer: (f) Screens that show information or images

4. researchers
Answer: (c) People who study and experiment

5. battery
Answer: (h) Object that provides power to something

6. pictures
Answer: (d) Images or photographs

7. devices
Answer: (b) Objects or tools used for a specific purpose

8. entertainment
Answer: (e) Activities or things that provide enjoyment or amusement
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When were blue LEDs invented?
Answer: (d) 1990s

2. What is the special material needed to make blue LEDs?
Answer: (c) gallium nitride

3. Why are blue LEDs important?
Answer: (a) They help make other colors on displays and can make white lights.

4. How many volts does a blue LED usually need to work?
Answer: (b) 4 volts

5. What are researchers at Stanford University trying out with LEDs?
Answer: (b) LEDs made from perovskite crystals

6. How many volts does the blue LED made in Japan need to work?
Answer: (c) 1.47 volts

7. What are companies trying to make with micro LEDs?
Answer: (a) Devices that are even smaller and work better

8. How have LEDs changed the way we see and enjoy light and visual entertainment?
Answer: (d) They have made it possible to create exciting light shows and are used in stadiums and famous buildings.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Blue LEDs were not invented in the 1990s and are not used in stadiums, famous buildings, and the Las Vegas Sphere. (Answer: False)
2. LED technology is not being explored for use in virtual reality and augmented reality devices, with no efforts to create even smaller and brighter micro LEDs. (Answer: False)
3. LEDs do not make it possible to create exciting light shows and enhance the experience of watching events. (Answer: False)
4. LED technology has improved over time, with engineers developing LEDs that emit more light for use in large spaces like stadiums. (Answer: True)
5. Researchers at Stanford University are experimenting with LEDs made from perovskite crystals, which are cheaper and can be changed to different colors. (Answer: True)
6. Japanese researchers have developed a blue LED that only requires one AA battery to function, compared to the usual 4 volts. (Answer: True)
7. Making blue LEDs was initially challenging due to difficulties in creating the necessary material called gallium nitride. (Answer: True)
8. Blue LEDs are not important because they help create other colors on displays and cannot be used to produce white lights. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧