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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Light Waves: Grades 6-8

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Explore the behavior of light with different materials. Collaborative groups determine whether certain materials absorb, reflect, diffract, or transmit light waves. They then measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Light Waves: Grades 9-12

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Explore the behavior of light waves with a lab activity. Scholars build new vocabulary through experimentation and observation. Using different mediums, they model reflection, refraction, transmission, diffusion, and scattering of light.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waves

For Teachers 5th
Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science lesson designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and graphs. The...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Elements

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...
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Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Reflections of Light

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Why can we see our reflection in a window but not a brick wall? Young physicists learn the Law of Reflection and various light properties that help them answer this and other questions about reflection. Use the PowerPoint to introduce...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Waves on the Job!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
A colorful and comprehensive PowerPoint highlights this activity on waves. Junior geophysicists pretend that they are hired to analyze seismic waves. A worksheet is provided to go along with an online article about how compact discs work...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Photoelectric Effect in Photocells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Illuminate your physics class with this examination of a photovoltaic cell. Teach the structure and operation of the device using a diagram. Then make a human-powered, larger-than-life sized model of a PV cell. Learners become electrons...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Diffraction Demystified

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Bubbles to Learn about Light Interference

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore constructive interference and destructive interference. In this light travel lesson, students follow procedures to discover how light waves travel and experience interference.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Color, Light, and Excited Electrons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate color, light and excited electrons and produce waves using slinkys. Your high schoolers will observe a continuous spectrum with a prism and an overhead projector. They observe flame tests to identify elements and they observe...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Light, Star Bright

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Four modules are a part of this stellar lesson plan. Space scientists view the electromagnetic spectrum, they generate waves on a computer screen in order to measure frequency and wavelength, discover how light is related to temperature,...
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Lesson Plan
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California Department of Education

What Is a "Wave"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Take a stretch, but don't wave goodbye. An interesting resource provides everything needed to present an introductory lesson plan on waves. Teachers present a PowerPoint defining the types of waves and their characteristics. Pupils use a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 5th
Light is such a fascinating subject. This lesson does a great job of illuminating the mysteries of light for your young scientists. A series of demonstrations which are explained in the plan should help your charges to understand how...
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Battle of the Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Which travels faster, light or sound? Scholars work in groups to simulate the ability for waves to travel through solids, liquids, gases, and through a vacuum. Then, they learn about the properties of a mystery wave and must determine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light Reflections

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore light.  In this physical science light lesson, students display objects on a projection screen and investigate how light absorbs, refracts, transmits and reflects. Students discuss common features of light based on their...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Science 4 Inquiry

Trick or Science: Catching the Light

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Your class might be surprised to learn that mirrors have been around since the first century AD! Young scientists explore reflection and refraction of light through a series of challenges. They use this knowledge to design their own...
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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 instructional activity, students complete activities that require them to investigate how light and sound waves travel.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stargazers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the light spectrum and light waves as well as how the properties of light and color have contributed to important discoveries about properties of the universe. They research the term redshift and the redshift phenomenon...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lighting Our Way

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars read a variety of web-based articles to explore the history of human understanding of light. They investigate light waves and read about the work of Albert Einstein.
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Lesson Plan
California Institute of Technology

Physics of Light

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Gummy bears are tasty, but did you know they are also used to determine color and light properties? Use the activity as a way to demonstrate light absorption, light reflection, and refraction with high schooler. Pupils conduct small...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore light.  In this light wave physics lesson, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras.  Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of these tools.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Waves

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars examine the physical properties of waves to explore the word crest and trough. They use toys to study waves in air, water and light.

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