Curated OER
The Energy of Light
Students discuss different ways engineers use light. In this engineering lesson, 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 practice using...
Curated OER
Wave Behavior
In this wave behavior worksheet, students will read about how sound waves are formed and how air and water temperature affects sound waves travel. Then students will complete 2 short answer questions based on the information they read.
Curated OER
Exploring Microscopes
Students explore the parts of a microscope. In this microscope lesson, students examine simple and compound microscopes. Students discover how the parts of a microscope work together to generate an image.
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Fiber Optics
Students explore the uses of optical fibers, are exposed to the principles of refraction and total internal reflection, solve problems relating to the design of fiber optic cables, and compare them to copper transmission lines.
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Light & Crystals
Students observe a demonstration of light refraction. They experiment with disappearing crystals to further study light refraction.
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Microscopes, Telescopes, and Cameras
In this lenses worksheet, 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...
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Changing Your View
For this refraction worksheet, students will explore the property of light called refraction. Students will conduct a quick experiment to understand how light is refracted. Then students will complete 2 short answer questions.
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Waves Worksheet
In this light waves activity, students complete 7 short answer questions where they analyze and record findings about the properties of light waves.
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Special Senses
In this special senses worksheet, 9th graders briefly describe the structure of a taste bud and the pathway a signal takes to the brain. Then they list the five basic taste sensations and homeostatic values of taste. Students also...
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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.
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Lighten Up!
Third graders observe light as a form of energy, that it can be reflected/bounced, refracted/bent and absorbed. They explore how different types of light affect our lives as a whole. Songs are researched that involve light (ex. "You...
Curated OER
The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy
Young scholars build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
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The Color Spectrum: How Does it Work?
Create models of the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Working in small groups, your class can investigate metric conversions calculations. They will find the length of the waves in nanometers,...
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Snell's Law (And Then Some)
High schoolers conduct an experiment to test Snell's Law using a block of lucite and a ray box. They measure the light rays as they impinge upon the block. Students are also asked to draw the situation of the lab or create a model of the...
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Motions and Forces
Middle schoolers explore motions, forces and magnetism. They investigate magnetism as a force and examine the construction of a magnet. Students examine the force that magnetism produces.
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Sky Show
Learners participate in a discussion of the sky and colors. They watch a demonstration of how colors can change. They examine the issue of if weather should be a part of their coursework.
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What’s That, I Can’t Hear You?
Young scholars investigate forms of energy as well as light and sound. For this science lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to evaluate how sound affects astronauts in flight. A video of this lesson...
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Jell-O Optics
Students observe an activity with Jell-O to learn about optics. In this investigative lesson plan students fill out a handout on the activity that helps them to investigate the index of refraction and the speed of light.
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Experiment: Fountain of Light
In this science experiment worksheet, students gather the materials they will need from the list provided. Following the 5 step directions, kids perform the experiment. Students answer 3 questions.
Discovery Education
Through the Looking Glass
Turning white light into colors only takes a little scientific know how! Young scholars create their own spectroscope in a hands-on activity exploring the properties of light. Using a diffraction grating, they discover how white light...
Curated OER
Punctuating a Paragraph
Do your fourth graders need a little help with punctuation? Use this run-on paragraph to demonstrate proofreading for capitalization, punctuation, and separating ideas into separate paragraphs. At the end of the activity, learners...
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Frozen Film
Students are introduced to the topic of light interference through this hands-on activity. They observe how light reflects off two surfaces and then meets to form an interesting variation of color on a film surface.
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Properties and Behavior of Waves
Young scholars explore the different properties of waves. In this physics lesson, students differentiate mechanical and electromagnetic waves. They explore each lab station and write their observation about the wave behavior they see.
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Light
Students observe how light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed. For 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.