Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Light
In this activity, pupils actually find the angles of reflection and incidence.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Guiding Light Optical Fiber
This experiment demonstrates the concept of total internal reflection, using basic materials. Accompanied by a detailed explanation of what's happening, and links to articles on reflection and refraction.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Geometric Optics
This interactive unit will help students to understand the basics of geometric optics. Learn what happens when light strikes the boundary between two media as well as the difference between a real and virtual image? Also explore the law...
My Science Site
Optics: Energy and Control [Pdf]
A very comprehensive unit including topics such as light and its source, visible sources of light, transparency of objects and much more. Also offers a resource list, blackline masters, and expectation list, expectation summary and a...
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Bounded Waves
To understand how bounded waves behave and how reflection of waves affects the wave components.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Two Lenses in One
Investigate the behavior of a water filled vial, and discover why it acts like a magnifier. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what causes light rays to change direction.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Your Father's Nose
After constructing a frame with a mirror made of horizontal strips, explore what your face would look like if it was made up of half of someone else's.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Wave Interactions
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Ways that waves can interact with matter and examples.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Optics
Students discover how mirrors affect optics in this module through reading informational text, watching animations, and answering self-checking practice questions.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Bill Nye: Baseball Moon
Bill Nye explains the phases of the moon with an experiment using a baseball, a lamp on a table, a dark room, and a stool or chair that swivels. As the person moves around, the changes in reflected light show the phases of the moon. The...
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
A simple experiment that clearly demonstrates angles of reflection when light hits a mirror. Accompanied by a good explanation of what's happening, and a link to an article on reflection.
Other
Escolar.com: La Luz
A brief summary and illustrations of light and how the lights rays are reflected and bent.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Cow Eye Dissection
Get your lab coat ready! This particular lab experience is a must for any middle or high school biology/anatomy lab science classroom. This site provides a printable version of a cow's eye diagram, a step-by-step dissection guide, a...
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Make a Green Gumball Black
An experiment to investigate what colors are seen when light is absorbed or reflected by colored gumballs. With links to scientific, academic articles that explain what is happening.
Other
Denison University: Physics of Dance
The researchers in this study set up a mobile lab including six 3D cameras, three laptops, and 70 luminescent markers. Volunteer dancers were prepped with the markers before turning in front of the cameras, which flash infrared light to...
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Science World: Fresnel, Augustin
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.
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Science World: Young, Thomas
This site from ScienceWorld provides a very short but factual biographical sketch of Thomas Young (1773-1829 CE) and describes his most notable scientific discoveries and contributions. Links are also provided throughout for additional...
Other
Weather Photography
Source of information on the subject of weather photography. There are great links, images and tips on equipment to use. For the intermediate to advanced photographer.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Mirrors and Images
An experiment to investigate how many images appear as the angle between two hinged mirrors is increased. Accompanied by an explanation of what is happening, questions for students to consider, and a link to an article about reflection.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Snacks
Exploratorium's snacks aren't edible, but they are good! Use your science skills to discover gravity, learn about biology, do fun experiments.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Pond, James Pond
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how to see through the mirror made by a pond's surface.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Ruby
An attractive photo of an expertly cut ruby. This is an expensive kind of rock that is not commonly found. Set against a white background this ruby stands out, shining brightly as it reflects the light in a number of directions.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Augustin Fresnel
A short biographical sketch on the life and work of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827). Comments on a few of his scientific accomplishments.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Mystery of the Mirrors (1 3)
This lesson plan from the Illinois Institute of Technology incorporates observation with hands on activity through various stations.