Curated OER
Peppered Moth Simulation
Students investigate the process of natural selection in peppered moths. In this natural selection lesson plan, students simulate peppered moths in environments similar to those during the industrial revolution. Students use white paper...
Exploratorium
Laser Jello
The concepts of refraction and reflection gel with your physical science class during this colorful exploration. Shining lasers through Petri-dish-shaped gelatin desserts, they will notice how the light travels and bounces off the sides....
Curated OER
Analytical Spectroscope
Students using a spectroscope view different substances when heated with electricity.
Curated OER
Let the Sunshine in
Students collect and analyze data to study wavelengths of visible light. They cover Styrofoam cups with three different colors of sun filtering products and shine a lamp directly on the cups. They determine the most effective filtering...
Curated OER
Exploring Infrared Image Technology
Students view infrared images of a blowing hair dryer, a Popsicle, and a toaster. They discuss the images and ways they are different than visible light images. Students view a temperature scale and discuss which parts of the item are...
Curated OER
Picture This!
High schoolers compare and contrast different types of light on the electromagnetic spectrum. In this investigative lesson plan students create a photographic image that demonstrates the infrared, ultraviolet and polarization phenomena.Â
Curated OER
Exploring Solar Beads
Students discover solar energy beads and learn about ultraviolet light. In this solar energy lesson, students learn about solar energy beads, ultraviolet light, and UV radiation dangers. Students experiment with the beads to identify.
Curated OER
Supernova Chemistry
Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
If you need summary notes for independent study, or a Powerpoint to review as a class, then these slides will fit your need. There are really great, quite detailed, diagrams and some slides to summarize the 2 stages of reactions in...
Curated OER
Why Are Plants Green?
Students smash plant parts and wait for visibility of chlorophyl to show why plants turn green. In this green plants lesson plan, students use acetone and filter paper for this experiment.
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Young scholars collect and sort rocks based on visible characteristics. In this statistics lesson, students determine adequate sample size and categorize rocks based on characteristics. The book Everybody Needs a Rock is read to...
Curated OER
Herschel Infrared Experiment
Students perform a version of the experiment of 1800 by the famous astronomer Sir Frederick William Herschel.
Curated OER
Enlightening Explorations, Part III
Sixth graders continue their examination of light. In groups, they make rainbows and examine the spectrum of visible light. They travel between various stations recording their observations about the behaviors of light. To end the...
Teach Engineering
Bubbles and Biosensors
Bubbles aren't just for children. In the third installment of a seven-part series, teenagers use bubble solution to create bubbles and observe patterns of refraction on the bubble surfaces. Application of this concept to thin films in...
Curated OER
The Colors on My TV Screen
Students explore how electronic screens use only three colors to produce the colors that people see on the screen. They make and test a color wheel.
Curated OER
The Science Behind Glow-in-the-Dark Toys
For this glow-in-the-dark worksheet, students read about substances that phosphor and their characteristics. Students also read about photo luminescence and glow-in-the-dark toys. They answer 6 questions about the light emitted by...
Curated OER
Iron in Foods
Students determine the amount of iron in a sample of cereal. In this iron lesson plan, students use a computer colorimeter to measure the amount of light absorbed by the solutions. They create a calibration curve using standard solutions...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Radiation
Students explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
Curated OER
The Big Bang Theory
Students explore the Big Bang Theory and discover how it can be used to explain the origin of the universe. For this Big Bang Theory lesson, students use a balloon with colored paper inside, blow it up and pop it, group the colored...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Radiation and the Bohr Atom
In this light worksheet, students calculate the frequency and wavelength. Students practice applying Planck's constant and determining the energy of a photon. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Spectral Surprise
Students create spectral colors. In this hands-on science lesson, students examine the electromagnetic spectrum as they follow steps to create a model that separates and displays light.
Curated OER
Clean Air
Students observe gas molecules in the atmosphere absorbing the light that goes through them.
Curated OER
Mechanism of Our Eyes
Students study the eye as the organ of vision, They look at a drawing of the eyes and study the names of the parts. While working with a partner, they observe what happens when the lights are turned lower and lower. Finally, they look at...
Curated OER
Sky Show
Students 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.