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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Light Wave

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Do radio waves create light? It's more difficult to understand the things we can't see than those that we can. The simulation compares the relatively small range of visible light to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It graphs the size...
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Interactive3:50
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Scholastic

Study Jams! Light

For Students 3rd - 6th Standards
Let there be light in your classroom with a video that explains that light travels in waves, the electromagnetic spectrum contains seven colors, and the color of an object depends on which light waves it reflects and absorbs. With...
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Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Diffraction Demystified

For Students 9th - 12th
Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks. 
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Trick or Science: Catching the Light

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Your class might be surprised to learn that mirrors have been around since the first century AD! Young scientists explore reflection and refraction of light through a series of challenges. They use this knowledge to design their own...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Light, Star Bright

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Four modules are a part of this stellar lesson plan. Space scientists view the electromagnetic spectrum, they generate waves on a computer screen in order to measure frequency and wavelength, discover how light is related to temperature,...
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Battle of the Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Which travels faster, light or sound? Scholars work in groups to simulate the ability for waves to travel through solids, liquids, gases, and through a vacuum. Then, they learn about the properties of a mystery wave and must determine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light Reflections

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore light.  In this physical science light lesson, students display objects on a projection screen and investigate how light absorbs, refracts, transmits and reflects. Students discuss common features of light based on their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactive Online Light Activity

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students participate in an online interactive activity in which they discover types of light, wavelengths of light, and how astronomers use different wavelengths. Activity includes links for other activities and lab activities including...
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Instructional Video1:18
PBS

Reflection and Refraction | UNC-TV Science

For Students 6th - 12th
Uncover the exciting interactions of light energy and matter ranging from color to optical illusions. Participants explore color using red and green apples, differences between reflection and refraction, and descriptions of related...
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Why Is the Sky Purple?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
The color of the sky depends on the time of day. Young scholars experiment with scattering different wavelengths of light to recreate the color of the sky. They observe both the longer blue wavelengths and the shorter red and orange...
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Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Sonar & Echolocation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Shedding a "Little" Light on Cancer Surgery

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Many types of cancer treatments now depend on nanotechnology—a big "little" discovery. Scholars begin by removing "malignant" tissue from simulated brains, one using fluorescent markers thanks to nanotechnology and one without. This...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Beating the Motion Sensor

For Teachers 7th - 9th
I bet I can cross the room without having the lights come on. Class members set up an experiment in which they try to determine what materials will mask motion detected by a sensor. Groups predict how materials will interact with light,...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Least Time

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
What is the fastest way to get from point A to point B if you are going through two different mediums, such as air then water? Scholars explore the way light travels through air, water, acrylic, glass, and diamond as they answer this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature and Characteristics of Waves

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research different types of waves, identify the parts of a wave and create a Power Point presentation demonstrating what they have learned.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Waves with the Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore various types of electromagnetic waves, the range of the spectrum, and common sources of electromagnetic waves.
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eBook
Rice University

College Physics for AP® Courses

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Take a look at an organized physics course. The 34-section electronic textbook covers material in AP® Physics 1 and 2. Teachers use the text to supplement lectures and have the class work through the labs. Each section contains multiple...
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Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Albedo, Reflectivity, and Absorption

For Teachers 5th - 6th
What is reflectivity, and what does it have to do with the Earth's climate? As reflectivity is measured by albedo, scientists can gather information on Earth's energy balances that relate to global warming or climate change. Budding...
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Activity
International Technology Education Association

Make a Pinhole Camera

For Teachers 7th - 12th
With a little light and a lot of time, you can create some amazing images. This NASA-related task instructs pupils to build a pinhole camera. The lesson provides suggestions for different pictures to try with the pinhole camera and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Motion in the Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the wave energy that is generated and transferred in the ocean. Through the use video and the Internet, students explore the aspects of a wave and how its energy affects the ecology of the seashore.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity: Using Light to Filter Prejudices

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use physics to discuss diversity. In this social interaction lesson, students use their knowledge of colors and filters to relate it to stereotyping and prejudices.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Radiation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. For this physics lesson, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
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Website
American Museum of Natural History

What is Marine Biology?

For Students 6th - 12th
A marine environment covers the majority of the earth but is arguably the least understood. Teach young scientists about the characteristics of oceans and ocean species using an interactive online lesson. The in-person or remote learning...