CK-12 Foundation
Cassegrain Telescope
How does a telescope magnify images? Learners first watch a tutorial explaining the basic construction of a telescope. Then they interact with a simulation that allows for changes in the location and diameter of the reflecting mirrors....
Curated OER
How Telescopes Work
Students experiment with water and mirrors to better understand how telescopes work. In this telescopes lesson plan, students use water and mirrors to see how mirrors reflect light and create a magnified image.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Telescoping Periscope
Ahoy, matey! Here is an engineering expedition that mini mariners are sure to be swept away by! After reading a brief description and history of periscopes, they work in crews to construct one. Use this activity to enhance a lesson on...
It's About Time
Curved Mirrors
Discover concave and convex mirrors using a laser light. Scholars experiment with real and virtual images before reading a handout and completing homework questions. Included extensions greatly benefit learners, so take advantage of the...
Curated OER
Algebra: Mirror, Mirror on the Universe
Students assess how algebra, telescopes, space exploration and optics are so important in astronomy. They encounter studies on the Hubble Space Telescope, Hubble Deep Field and how algebra helps to determine the effects of contamination...
Curated OER
Online Exploration: Telescopes From the Ground Up
Students explore a web-based illustrated text and interactive graphics to determine the relationship between the operation of telescopes and light. optics. They work in small groups to become an expert on one of the ten eras of telescope...
Curated OER
Mirror, Mirror
Students investigate the Law of Reflection and how light travels. In this reflection lesson students produce data from their experiment then create a pencil tracing.
NASA
Collecting Electromagnetic Radiation
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. Materials...
Curated OER
The KAO Telescope
Students explore the basic principles of the operation of the NASA's KAO telescope. They construct a simplified model of it using film canisters and other everyday objects. Step by step directions are included in plan.
Curated OER
Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels. They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
Urbana School District
Optics
Don't worry, optics is a light topic! The presentation covers reflection, refraction, fiber optics, mirages, prisms, rainbows, dispersion, mirrors, lenses, telescopes, diffraction, the human eye, and much, much more. Presentation is the...
Curated OER
Radiation From Space
In this space instructional activity, learners will review different aspects of light, sound, and radio waves in space and the use of different types of telescopes. This instructional activity has 17 fill in the blank statements.
Curated OER
Observing the Outer Planets
Young scholars observe the outer planets. In this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Young scholars create a video of their observations.
Curated OER
The Most Important Equation in Astronomy!
In this astronomy optics worksheet, students calculate the angular resolution and maximum resolution for given telescope specifics. This worksheet has 3 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Microscopes, Telescopes, and Cameras
In this lenses activity, students will explain how microscopes work by completing 4 short answer questions. Students will compare refracting telescopes with reflecting telescopes by writing the terms given under the correct column. Then...
Curated OER
Microscopes and Telescopes
Students analyze a microscope and study what they do. In this investigative lesson plan students study how microscopes were first invented, and how ray diagrams are used in conjunction.
Curated OER
Light and Optics
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
Curated OER
Lenses and Mirrors
Students investigate lenses and mirrors showing how they bend and reflect light waves.
Curated OER
Mirror Curvature
Students investigate parabolas as the shape of a telescopic mirror. In this Algebra I/Algebra II instructional activity, students explore the relationship between the coefficients of a quadratic function and the shape and position of...
American Museum of Natural History
Beyond Planet Earth
Scholars take a journey through space with 16 eye-catching images. Along the way, learners read captions starting with the moon, then move onto asteroids, Mars, and Jupiter.
International Technology Education Association
Dampen That Drift!
The spacecraft is drifting too far off course! Two games help explain how a spacecraft can use its thrusters to maintain its position. The games have pupils be the components of vectors in order to create and counteract the disturbances.
Fluence Learning
Writing About Informational Text: Beyond the Beyond—Galaxies
Everyone has a different point of view, even when it comes to the enormity of the universe. Two separate text passages explain the scope of a galaxy, prompting young readers to write an essay about each author's argument and how the...
Curated OER
Extreme Flashlight Tag
Fifth graders view a Powerpoint show about reflecting light. They experiment through a reflection simulation on the internet. Students complete the activity by using mirrors and light to complete send light to a specified spot.
Curated OER
Reflection and Refraction
Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see. The lesson includes three experiments on light reflection, light refraction, projection, lenses, and optical systems. Each experiment builds off the ones before and encourages...