Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Spectral Analysis with DVDs and CDs

For Students 9th - 12th
Build a spectrometer to analyze properties of light. Scholars examine the spectrum from CDs and DVDs from two different light sources. Using the spectrum, they work to identify different elements.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Diamond Cut

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
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,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss different ways engineers use light. In this engineering instructional activity, students are introduced to the properties of light and the way light is used. They view a demonstration of light waves using a slinky, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflect and Refract

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore light. In this properties of light lesson, students define the terms refract, reflect, and diffract after listening to the teacher's description. Students listen to the book Light Magic and observe a spoon in a glass of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish Tank Optics- Learning How Light Travels

For Teachers 1st - 9th
Students explore light waves, refraction, and reflection. In this light lesson, students observe how light moves by using a flashlight. Students observe refraction and reflection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light Is Amazing

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate light and its energy. They discuss the properties of light, research how much light the moon absorbed on their birthday on a website, complete a graphic organizer, and create a kaleidoscope.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Experiment: Refraction And The Reappearing Coin

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this refraction worksheet, students perform an experiment by putting a penny in a bowl, walking off and turning back around to see if they can still see the penny or not.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Light and Vision

For Students 9th - 12th
In this light and vision activity, high schoolers will review the characteristics of light including how the eyes use light to see. This activity has 9 fill in the blank, 8 true or false, 9 multiple choice, and 1 short answer question.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics: Light and Sound

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the concepts of light waves and sound waves. In this physics lesson, students complete activities that require them to investigate how light and sound waves travel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Gelatin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate the refraction properties of gelatin to calculate its index of refraction. They discover that as the light travels through the gelatin, its speed and wavelength also change. Students find th indes of refraction of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fluorescence

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Here are some instructions for leading learners through a hands-on activity for investigating ultraviolet radiation. First, introduce them to light and refraction. Then introduce them to the electromagnetic spectrum. Finally, give...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lead your class in a fun-filled team activity that encourages collaboration while learning important concepts. Pupils actively participate in a discussion on the experimental design and the role of mirrors. They perform group activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Role Does Light Play Within the Vision Process?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ghost Crystals - Light & Water

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Woo, ghost crystals, just in time for Halloween! Young scientists experiment with light and water as they make and observe ghost crystals. The lesson does not include the process for making the crystals, but provides a web link where a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Light Up My Life

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders participate in various experiments involving light. They demonstrate how light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object. Students show ways that light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Crystals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete hands-on activities to observe light refraction. They observe and compare the refraction in different substances and then write about it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders sit in their seats with the lights on and then the teacher turns off the lights. After their eyes have adjusted, they vote on what colors of construction paper are being held up. The lights are then turned back on and...
Interactive
Curated OER

Reflection & Refraction

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this online interactive reflection and refraction worksheet, students respond to 7 multiple choice and fill in the blank questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers K - 4th
Students observe how light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed. In this light lesson, students discover that light travels in a straight path. This lesson contains a "bonus" activity that explains how to make a kaleidoscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stations of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. Learners investigate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Physics (5B) Post Lab

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze optical images. in this optical lesson, 5th graders look at how light reflects and refracts. They discuss different types of lenses and how they change the picture that is taken. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Wave Action

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this wave instructional activity, students compare the different ways a wave can react: absorption, reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Students also read about constructive and destructive interference. This instructional...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Wave Actions

For Students 9th - 12th
In this waves worksheet, students read about the ways waves react depending on the boundary they encounter. They read about natural frequency, resonance, phases and interference in waves. They match 13 terms with their definitions, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Gelatin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners measure angles of refraction as the light travels through gelatin.  In this experimental lesson students complete a refraction lab and plot their data.

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