Inorganic phosphors are the main component of light emitting diodes which have caused the revolution in lighting industry as an energy-efficient and long-lasting replacement of traditional incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. They are also used in various consumer products and displays and can potentially find applications in photocatalysis, solar cells, optical thermometers, and stress indicators. Long-afterglow phosphors provide an opportunity to visually observe and test different phenomena in solid-state materials and can be used as an effective teaching tool at the undergraduate level. We developed an upper-level undergraduate laboratory experiment that integrates the synthesis, processing, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and applications of strontium-aluminate-based phosphors. Observation of the intensity and duration of the phosphor afterglow under different conditions reinforces students' learning of various concepts related to materials structure and properties, and spectroscopic principles, in an engaging and impactful way. The phenomena of thermoluminescence and mechanoluminescence, and their potential applications in thermal sensors and ballistics, respectively, are also introduced. Depending on the instructor's goals, the described laboratory experiment can be used in a modified form in inorganic or physical chemistry laboratory courses, but we believe it is particularly well-suited as a module for advanced laboratory courses in interdisciplinary programs.