Luminescent organisms are often outshone by man-made light sources and yet their natural beauty continues to fascinate us. In this course, we will consider bioluminescence and fluorescence through the lens of chemistry and physics. We will use hands-on activities, advanced equipment, and demonstrations to explore the physics of lasers and light, the biochemistry of fluorescent proteins, and the chemical reactions behind chemiluminescence and bioluminescence. Our culminating project will involve research into the biology and applications of “living light”. If possible, we hope to include outside expert speakers and a field trip to help us develop an authentic understanding of these topics.