Cornell University
Light Waves: Grades 9-12
Explore the behavior of light waves with a lab activity. Scholars build new vocabulary through experimentation and observation. Using different mediums, they model reflection, refraction, transmission, diffusion, and scattering of light.
Cornell University
Spectral Analysis with DVDs and CDs
Build a spectrometer to analyze properties of light. Scholars examine the spectrum from CDs and DVDs from two different light sources. Using the spectrum, they work to identify different elements.
Royal Society of Chemistry
Colour—Gifted and Talented Chemistry
Add a splash of color to your chemistry class! Science scholars discover the principles behind color through a wide variety of hands-on activities. Lessons include dyes, chromatography, and flame tests.
College Board
2013 AP® Biology Free-Response Questions
AP® free-response questions are often challenging for scholars. Give them practice writing free-response questions using former questions from the AP® Biology exam on topics such as genetic mutations, cellular respiration, evolution, and...
Curated OER
Generate a Calibration Curve for Chlorophyll a
Students measure and graph the absorbance of light by chlorophyll at a specific wavelength versus chlorophyll concentration. They are given an unknown and determine its concentration from their calibration curve. Students become familiar...
Curated OER
Stellar Fingerprints: the Spectra of Stars
Students explain how an element can be identified using emission spectra. They relate the emission spectrum of hydrogen to its absorption spectrum and identify hydrogen absorption lines in the spectrum of stars.
McGraw Hill
The Bohr Atom
Elements don't have fingers, but they have fingerprints! An interactive simulation gives young scientists the opportunity to study orbital changes of an atom and the corresponding spectrum reading. They realize how each atom has a unique...
Curated OER
Detection Detective
Young scholars describe what each detection method uses and rank the wavelengths of each if appropriate. They answer questions about absorption, importance of materials and explain differences. Students make sure they describe diagnostic...
Curated OER
Overhead Spectroscopy
Students explore the relevance and importance of data collection and analysis techniques that use different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. They observe the basic concepts of the visible electromagnetic spectrum and the...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
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...
NASA
Here Comes the Light!
Look beyond the light! An engaging activity introduces young scholars to the application of a spectroscope. The lesson is the fifth in a series of six and focuses on the analysis of the elements of the sun.
Virginia Department of Education
Greenhouse Gas Modeling Activity
Why are greenhouse gases called greenhouse gases? Young Earth scientists learn about greenhouse gases though experimentation in the second installment of a 3-part series. They use lamps to model radiant energy as well as warming through...
Curated OER
(S-4) The Many Colors of Sunlight
High schoolers observe and explore the characteristics of light.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
This relatively short PowerPoint contains all of the information necessary to give a clear summary of Photosynthesis. There are a few illustrations and clear descriptions of each stage of the main reactions.
Curated OER
The Spectrum of a Star
Tenth graders identify stars based on their line spectra. In this astronomy instructional activity, 10th graders analyze spectrograph and determine the elements present in the star. They explain the relationship between temperature and...
Curated OER
Online Exploration: Telescopes From the Ground Up
Students explore a web-based illustrated text and interactive graphics to determine the relationship between the operation of telescopes and light. optics. They work in small groups to become an expert on one of the ten eras of telescope...
Curated OER
Modeling Drug Assimilation in the Human Body
Students investigate the accumulation of drugs in the body. In this algebra lesson, students collect data on drug retention and assimilation. They use their data to predict the behavior and effects of drugs.
Curated OER
Physical Principles in Living Systems
Seventh graders experiment with white light, plane mirrors, and curved mirrors in order to demonstrate the physical principles of living systems. In this physical principles lesson plan, 7th graders take 3 days to discover what happens...
Curated OER
Honors Chemistry I
In this honor chemistry I worksheet, students use all available resources to answer each question given. Students apply their knowledge of light, quantum theory of light, Bohr's model, photoelectric theory.
Curated OER
Spectral Surprise
Young scholars 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
Ways to See the Sun
Students examine how the regions of the Sun are studied using spectroscopy. They investigate the electromagnetic spectrum and the types of radiation that are associated with it. They use prisms and CD's to examine the light spectrum....
Curated OER
Chloroplasts and Pigments
In this plant pigments worksheet, students compare the function of 3 types of pigments: chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycobilins. This worksheet has 23 fill in the blank, 3 drawing, and 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Light at the Bottom of the Deep, Dark Ocean?
High schoolers participate in an inquiry activity. They relate the structure of an appendage to its function. They describe how a deepwater organism to its environment without bright light.