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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflect and Refract

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore light. In this properties of light lesson, students define the terms refract, reflect, and diffract after listening to the teacher's description. Students listen to the book Light Magic and observe a spoon in a glass of...
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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

Unraveling the Mysteries of Objects in Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners study emitted and absorbed light, and label each type of spectrum. They identify elements by their spectral signatures and use a spectroscope.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Obtain a visible spectra of chlorophyll a

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners become familiar with the concept of spectroscopy or the study of the interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation. They prepare solutions and measure absorbance at different wavelengths. Pupils comprehend that mater and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Starlight, Star Heat

For Students 7th - 12th
In this stars worksheet, students read how astronomers calculate the temperature of a star by measuring its color. Students use a chart showing star temperatures and colors to complete 3 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lighter Side of Color

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore light and color, including how colors are mixed to produce new colors, how light is filtered, and how light is reflected off of surfaces. They read materials provided, complete worksheets, and complete hands-on activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the concept of frequency and wavelength. They analyze how frequency and wavelength relate to each other by conducting an experiment involving measuring and timing wavelengths by pulling adding machine tape through an...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Radiation from Space

For Students 9th - 12th
In this radiation activity, students review the different types of radiation waves that come from space and the different telescopes used to detect this radiation. This activity has 17 true or false questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Solar Beads

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners discover solar energy beads and learn about ultraviolet light. In this solar energy lesson, students learn about solar energy beads, ultraviolet light, and UV radiation dangers. Learners experiment with the beads to identify.
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Handout
Curated OER

Reflection and Refraction

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
What is a prism? A place for light waves that commit minor refractions! The thorough resource includes three hands-on investigations covering light reflection and refraction; mirrors, lenses, and images; and optical systems. Subject...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You See the Music?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the makeup of the electromagnetic spectrum and how the various forms of EMRs are similar and different from each other. They, in pairs, solve problems from worksheets imbedded in this lesson plan.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students analyze the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Radiation and the Bohr Atom

For Students Higher Ed
For this light worksheet, students calculate the frequency and wavelength. Students practice applying Planck's constant and determining the energy of a photon. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To See or Not to See

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and discuss key factors that determine how effective color camouflage is in certain habitats.  In this investigative lesson students divide into groups and study light. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Why Is the Sky Blue?"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate why the sky is blue and the sunset is red. They are asked why do you think that we see the sky as blue? Students write a hypothesis on their "Blue Sky Lab Sheet". They explain why they think that the sky is blue...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ways to See the Sun

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Pupils 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. They...
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Lesson Plan
Santa Monica College

Flame Tests of Metal Cations

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Scientists used flame tests to identify elements long before the invention of emission spectroscopy. Young chemists observe a flame test of five metal cations in the fourth lesson of an 11-part series. Individuals then work...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atomic Absorption Determination of Zinc and Copper in a Multivitamin

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Advanced lab apprentices prepare zinc and copper solutions to which they will compare the same minerals from a multivitamin. Using absorption spectroscopy, they analyze the contents of the multivitamin for concentration. This lab can be...
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Why Does it Get Colder on a Clear Night than a Cloudy Night?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Clouds are nature's insulator! A lab investigation asks learners to use an infrared thermometer to measure differences in infrared temperatures. They find that pointing the thermometer at a cloud has a much different result than pointing...
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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
Curated OER

Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels. They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

(S-4) The Many Colors of Sunlight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe and explore the characteristics of light.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Chloroplasts and Pigments

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
For 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining Spectra

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the spectra with the use of light while constructing their own spectroscope. They make observations about the colors and visible wavelengths of light and then conduct classroom discussions. As an extension students read...