+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Periscope

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students experiment with a simple periscope to see how it reflects light. They draw a diagram of the path a ray of light follows as it travels from an object, through the periscope, and into your eye.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Mirror Writing

For Students 4th - 6th
In this mirror writing worksheet, students follow the directions to decide which alphabet letters are symmetrical. Students use a mirror and a white light as they work in partners to trace simple shapes.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation of Polarized Light

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate how polorizers filter light. For this physics lesson, students record their data and plot their results using a computer logging software. They discuss practical applications of polarization.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

REFLECTIONS OF SCIENCE

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discover the different types of mirrors, their properties and some of their applications. They have already been introduced to some of the properties of light and have already experienced some of the different types of mirrors...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Gelatin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the refraction properties of gelatin to calculate its index of refraction. They discover that as the light travels through the gelatin, its speed and wavelength also change. Students find th indes of refraction of an...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Making a Periscope

For Students 4th - 5th
In this designing a periscope worksheet, students follow the directions to collect materials and make a periscope. Students answer 5 questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enlightening Explorations, Part II

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders review their results from the previous experiments. After viewing a kaleidoscope, they make their own pattern on paper and describe the role of light. To end the lesson plan, they examine light being relfected and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Geometry of Real Images

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this math worksheet, students read the examples for using the techniques of mathematical modeling. They draw the angles in order to simulate the reflection of light while using a concave mirror.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Concentrated Solar Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The seventh segment in an eight-part unit promotes the idea of concentrating the sun to increase the power of a photovoltaic panel. Pupils learn about devices used such as reflectors or lenses.
+
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson plan, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Connection Between Pigment and Light Colors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers learn the procedure for mixing secondary colors from primary pigments and observe the results of mixing two primary colors.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Pinhole Camera #1

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars make a pinhole camera and see the effects of light travelling in straight lines have on images.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Pinhole Camera #2

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make a pinhole camera and see the effects that light travelling in straight lines have on images.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enlightening Explorations, Part III

For Teachers 6th
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Reason for the Seasons; Science, Geography

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students think about what causes the seasons to change, reflect on what they know about seasons and how their lives affected by seasonal changes.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tessellating Tiles

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders Make, name and describe, using their own language and the language of geometry, everyday shapes and objects. They create and talk about geometric patterns which repeat (show translation), or which have rotational or...
+
Lesson Plan
Michigan Technological University

Giant Mirrors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Did you know some retailers use curved mirrors in their fitting rooms to make customers look thinner? Pupils view themselves in convex and concave mirrors to understand the difference. The resource includes big ideas for multiple age...
+
Activity
US Department of Energy

Solar Cooking

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Who needs a barbecue grill to cook hot dogs when you have the amazing power of the sun at your disposal? Engage young scientists in learning about solar energy with this fun activity that turns a used Pringles can into a solar powered...
+
Unit Plan
EngageNY

Complex Numbers and Transformations

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Your learners combine their knowledge of real and imaginary numbers and matrices in an activity containing thirty lessons, two assessments (mid-module and end module), and their corresponding rubrics. Centered on complex numbers and...
+
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Making a Liquid Crystal Thermometer

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Introduce your classes to a fourth state of matter! Liquid crystals have a colorful sheen that changes based on different physical factors. Learners use this information to create a liquid crystal thermometer where the color of the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Using NASA's Live Access Server, earth scientists compare the temperature, precipitation, and normalized difference vegetation index for four different locations. They use the data to identify the climate zone of each location using...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Is It Hotter At the Equator?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the different heating effects of sunlight. They conduct an experiment that demonstrates the way sunlight strikes the equator, the poles and other parts of the globe.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Rainbow Science

For Students 4th - 5th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, learners read five paragraphs about the science of rainbows. Students then answer several questions about the reading.