Website
University of Maryland

Optics Highlights: Optics, Electromagnetic Waves, Quanta

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of an anecdotal history on optics and the study of light. Extremely thorough treatment of the scientific evidence which led scientists to believe in the particle nature of light. Includes a short biographical sketch and discusses...
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Wavelike Behaviors of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
In this series of interactive physics tutorials, students will focus on the wavelike nature of light.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Thin Film Interference

For Students 9th - 10th
Students investigate an example of interference that provides further evidence in support of the wavelike behavior of light.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
Through illustrated practice problems and video clips, students learn about polarization of light.
Activity
Optical Society

Optical Society of America: Exploring the Science of Light: Classroom Activities

For Students 9th - 10th
Experiments and activities for investigating the science of light, as well as in-depth explanations of some of the light principles.
Interactive
Pennsylvania State University

Kettering University: Vibration & Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
A short tutorial providing general information about waves, their categories, properties and behaviors. Includes several animations and some practice questions with answers.
eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science

For Students 4th
This customizable digital textbook covers topics related to fourth-grade science. It is Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Light

For Teachers 4th - 6th
For this activity, students actually find the angles of reflection and incidence.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Light (K 4)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This site provides two activities that learners can do in class. One uses mirrors to reflect light beams whole another is making a kaleidescope.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Telescopes

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about telescopes in the science of physics including lenses, mirrors, refracting, reflecting, the history, and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Handout
Wolfram Research

Wolfram Science World: Fresnel, Augustin

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from ScienceWorld provides a short biographical sketch of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827 CE) and describes his most notable scientific discoveries and contributions. Links are provided throughout for additional information.
Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: Physics Iii: Vibrations and Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of video lectures from a physics course focusing on vibration and waves taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The course overviews topics dealing with mechanical vibration and waves with twenty-three lectures....
Activity
York University

The Joy of Visual Perception: Physics of Visual Stimulus

For Students 9th - 10th
From an online "book," this particular page describes physics principles related to vision and sight. Keywords are linked to other pages with further information. The role of sunglasses in blocking glare is discussed and explained. A...
Article
Other

Lighthouses: Lighting the Lights

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the early lights used in lighthouses and how these lights evolved into what they are today. Explains the contributions of Fresnel to the development of these lights; discusses the Fresnel orders.
Handout
Synopsys

Synopsys: A Gentle Intro to Optical Design: Why Is the Sky Blue?

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses Rayleigh scattering in plain language and attributes the blueness of the skies to this phenomenon. Discussion of scattering is just one topic of many on this lengthy page of optical topics.
Unit Plan
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics for Kids: What Is Light?

For Students 3rd - 5th
An explanation of what light is and some of its properties.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Snacks

For Students 5th - 9th
Exploratorium's snacks aren't edible, but they are good! Use your science skills to discover gravity, learn about biology, do fun experiments.
Website
Kidport

Kidport: Light

For Students 3rd - 6th
Did you know that light is a form of energy and always travels in a straight line? Discover some more interesting facts about light.
Activity
Optical Society

Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Watch Tv Upside Down

For Students 1st - 5th
An experiment to invert a television image using a magnifying lens. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Augustin Fresnel

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch on the life and work of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827). Comments on a few of his scientific accomplishments.
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: How Rainbows Work

For Students K - 1st
Learn how rainbows work by reading this illustrated explanation.
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Through nine lessons, students are introduced to a range of energy types--electrical, light, sound and thermal-as well as the renewable energy sources of wind, hydro (water) and solar power. Subjects range from understanding that the...
Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
"How Do We Know Light Behaves as a Wave?" An answer is provided in this discussion of the polarization of light and the use of Polaroid filters in sunglasses. The four methods discussed on this page are: polarization by transmission,...
Website
Other

Meade Instruments Corporation: How Telescopes Work

For Students 9th - 10th
This page explains in fairly simple terms the basics of telescopes. It includes information on the various types of telescopes and the factors people use to select the correct telescope for them. Meade is a leading telescope manufacturer.

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