Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function...

Astronomy is literally over your head, but this lesson will explain how we study it. Young scientists make telescopes, calculate and compare the light gathering power of lenses, and simulate detection of infared radiation....

The electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from very powerful gamma rays (which are used to treat cancer) to much weaker radio waves (which include microwaves). Through a hands-on activity, scholars explore the temperature...

In this optics worksheet, students read about how light can reflect or refract and how lenses and mirrors work. Then students complete 13 matching, 27 fill in the blank, and 8 word problems.

In this light worksheet, students answer twenty six questions about sound and light and how they both travel. They also answer questions about different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum such as radio waves, visible light,...

Students study what makes Earth warm and explore how different locations on the planetreceive different amounts of solar energy based on the intensity of the sun's rays. They calculate light intensities and compare the amounts of light...

In this harmonic motion and light instructional activity, students review concepts such as identifying motion as harmonic, linear or wave motion, analyzing graphs of position vs. time and pendulum movement, answering questions about...

Though this is meant to be second in a two-part lesson, the two are not dependent on each other. Pupils play the roles of visible light rays, light or dark surfaces, and carbon dioxide molecules. They interact and react according to...

Young scholars investigate radiant energy. In this earth science instructional activity, students use solar beads and clear sunscreen to observe radiant solar energy. Young scholars note observations.

Learners study an article on Gamma Rays.  In this investigative lesson plan students study the energy and wavelengths of gamma rays and the theories behind them. 

Students experiment with reflections of two plane mirrors placed at a 90 degree angle to see what will be reflected.

What better way to learn how to use a microscope than building your own? A lab investigation has scholars use lenses from magnifying glasses and sheets of cork to design their own compound microscopes. They calculate focal length...

A red delicious apple tree with a simple mutation means we now benefit from the existence of golden delicious apples. Learn how simple mutations change genetic information in DNA sequences. Using biographies, videos, and animations,...

Does natural light damage or repair DNA? Learn the answer discover the scientists who researched the topic with an online interactive. Scholars read through an online animation presenting the content at their own pace. Then, they read...

How do jewelers tell the difference between diamonds, glass, and cubic zirconia? A sparkling simulation demonstrates how to use a ray of light to determine the substance and ideal shape for a diamond. Scholars control the material,...

Students construct kaleidoscopes to demonstrate how an image is multiplied by angled mirrors before light rays reach their eyes. They follow step-by-step directions to create a kaleidoscope, and draw illustrations of the repeating...

Students are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They listen to a...

Students view images in a spherical mirror and interpret the path of light. In this physics instructional activity, students view a large spherical mirror demonstrated by the instructor. They use shiny serving spoons to investigate...

In this light worksheet, students click on the links in the questions about light to find the answers to the questions and then come back and answer the questions. Students answer 15 questions total.

Imagine a presentation that covers electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic radiation, radio waves, microwaves, the visible light spectrum, UV, X-ray, and gamma rays. Here's one. Packed with facts and colorful illustrations, 11-slide...

A tilted Earth is shown in relation to the rays of light from the sun. Earth science superstars determine latitude, month, and time of day. They compare number of daylight hours for different points on Earth. The five multiple choice...

Students define and discus the concepts of wave fronts and rays. In groups, they distinguish between specular and diffuse reflections and use Snell's Law to predict the path of light rays. They calculate the speed of light through...

Young scholars explore the concept of gamma ray bursts. They examine basic physics concepts about light, measure the shifts of spectral lines, and utilize Hubble's Law to deduce the velocity of an astronomical object.

In this electromagnetic waves instructional activity, learners review the different types of electromagnetic waves. Students also compare and contrast light and sound waves. This instructional activity has 10 fill in the blank, 5...