After the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War, some wounded soldiers were said to have wounds that glowed with a faint blue light. Years later, scientists discovered that a glowing bacterium may have helped protect these soldiers from infection. In this Mini Spark, you will explore this fascinating connection between history and science. The “Angel’s Glow” story is a well-known Civil War legend, though historians have found little contemporary evidence that it actually occurred. The science behind the glowing bacteria is real and remarkable.
Spark Your Learning!
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Set up your Social Studies Mini Spark recording page: #12: The Mystery of the Glowing Soldiers.
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Watch this video. Record 3 details on your recording page.
3. Read the article about “Angel’s Glow.”
On your recording page, write:
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- Three facts you learned.
- Two questions you still have.
4. Choose one question to answer:
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- How did science help explain the legend of Angel’s Glow?
- Why is it important to investigate stories from history using evidence?
- What surprised you most about this story?
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5. Submit your completed Mini Spark page to your teacher or EY Coordinator.
Learn more about the Civil War in Social Studies Mini Spark #71
Check out the Civil War Inventions badge that the EY website.
