Students explore optical illusions. For this Applied Science lesson, students view optical illusions and record the data of what they see. Students graph the data that they collect.

Students investigate optical illusions. In this optical illusions instructional activity, students explore perception. Students analyze optical illusions and determine common misconceptions.

Students explore scientific observations by examining the parts of a microscope. In this optics instructional activity, students discuss the importance of a focal point and focal distance when utilizing an optical device such as a...

Students classify optical illusions according to their distinguishing characteristics. They create anamorphic art and use Mylar flexible mirrors to view and then they describe and analyze the optical illusion.

Students experiment with reflections of two plane mirrors placed at a 90 degree angle to see what will be reflected.

Young scholars construct a simple refracting telescope. They calculate the magnification.

Students study the parts and functions of the human eye. They create dodecagons which are twelve-sided figures with twelve equal angles and share these with the class so that each student can begin to see how many different illusions can...

Learners investigate the essential concepts of how lenses work to magnify vision, and then build simple telescopes to demonstrate their understanding. They write a description of how their telescope could be improved and how it works.

Students triangulate using a compass, topographical (topo) map and a view of outside landmarks. They take a field trip to another location away from school and mark discernible landmarks (like mountains or radio towers) and changes in...

Students experiment with a simple periscope to see how it reflects light. They draw a diagram of the path a ray of light follows as it travels from an object, through the periscope, and into your eye.

High schoolers experiment with a converging lens. They observe the image of an object through a lens. They determine the magnification of the lens.

Students construct a simple spectroscope. They observe the emission spectrum produce by a source of light.

Students place two plane mirrors at different angles to experiment with reflection. They make kaleidoscopes and periscopes.

Students identify the characteristics of aerosols. Using remote sensing, they participate in an experiment in which they determine how the sun's radiation and elements in the atmosphere interact with one another. They also research the...

Students examine the concept of symmetry. They use photographs in front of a mirror to see symmetry. They write an explanation or drawing of how a mirror always produces a line of symmetry.

Biography of Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), a famous Swiss mathematician also known for his work in optics and astronomy who left behind him a huge body of academic works.

In this lesson make a spinning top to explore the concepts of shape, color, spinning, and optical illusions.

Events of Rene Descartes' life are presented in a timeline form. The biographical information is taken from "A Short Account of the History of Mathematics" by W. W. Rouse Ball (4th Edition, 1908).

A very brief biography that lists his major accomplishments including the invention of the kaleidoscope.