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Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Mystery of the Senses Vision

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Understand how our brain identifies an object, view six optical illusions and explain why the visual system might interpret them the way it does.
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Handout
Other

Short Biography: David Brewster

For Students 9th - 10th
A very brief biography that lists his major accomplishments including the invention of the kaleidoscope.
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Article
Other

United States Master Swimming: Fiber Aquatics

For Students 9th - 10th
The principle of total internal reflection is discussed in this article. The appearance of objects from inside the water of a swimming pool is compared to the path of light in a fiber optic cable.
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Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Isaac Newton (1643 1727)

For Students 9th - 10th
This life of Isaac Newton' traces his life from birth through childhood to his rise as a renown scientist and mathematician.
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Unit Plan
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics for Kids: What Is Light?

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a short explanation of light, how it travels, and the speed in which it travels. Many other concepts related to optics can be found on this site as well.
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Website
Harvard University

Web Science Resources: A Brief History of Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
This timeline compiles an enormous amount of historical information from the field of optics. From 300 BCE to the present, strategic experiments, findings, and theories are described.
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Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Augustin Fresnel

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch on the life and work of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827). Comments on a few of his scientific accomplishments.
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Handout
Other

Muslim Scientists: Mohammad Ibn Zakariya Al Razi

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief biography of Mohammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, famous for his contributions to the fields and studies of medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and physics.
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Handout
Other

Geometric Optics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site provides a very brief definition to geometric optics, and includes links to related information.