Lesson Plan

Jell-O® Waveguide and Power Loss

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function of fiber optic cable.

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Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Invite a speaker familiar with the operation of fiber optic cables, such as an engineer, to speak to the class
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires a specific set of materials and time for set up
  • Expects a basic understanding of the refraction properties of light waves
  • The lesson is the second in a series of two
Pros
  • Adaptable to different grade levels
  • Includes a detailed teaching guide with tips and questioning strategies
Cons
  • None