Curated OER
What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?
Introduce starting space scientists to the electromagnetic spectrum, expecially the portion of visible light. Teach them about wavelength and frequesncy. Then give them a roll of adding machine tape and a manila folder to make a...
Teach Engineering
Beating the Motion Sensor
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,...
Curated OER
Light as Waves and Particles
Eleventh graders explore the wave and particle properties of light.
American Institute of Physics
The Black Scientific Renaissance of the 1970s-90s: African American Scientists at Bell Laboratories
A two-part instructional activity asks young scientists to research the contributions of African American scientists at Bell Laboratories. After presenting their findings, class members watch two demonstrations that introduce them to...
Curated OER
Super Gelatin
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...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Learners explore water. In this water activity, students explore the physical properties and states of water. They observe how water changes states and document what they see.
Curated OER
To See or Not to See: The Colors of Light
Seventh graders describe and conduct an experiment that identifies the physical properties of light. They explore sources of visible light and an electromagnetic spectrum. Students explain the conversion of one form of energy to another.
Mr. E. Science
Sound
Since light travels faster than sound, some people may appear bright until you hear them speak. The presentation covers what sound is, how fast it travels in various mediums, properties of sound, hearing, and the parts of the human ear.
Curated OER
Reflect and Refract
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...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
Students recognize the importance of plants as they perform an experiment involving photosynthesis. Students determine the optimum wavelength of light for photosynthesis by exposing plants to different colors of light, collecting data,...
Curated OER
Diversity: Using Light to Filter Prejudices
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.
Teach Engineering
Quantum Dots and Colors
Introduce teams to quantum dot solutions with an activity that has them expose solutions to a blacklight, observe the colors, and take measurements. Groups graph the data and analyze the dependence between particle size and color...
Teach Engineering
The Amazing Aerogel
Introducing ... the aerogel. The first of a two-installment series teaches young engineers about the properties and uses of aerogels. A PowerPoint presentation provides information about this unique material to help solidify the concept.
Curated OER
Measuring Star Temperatures
For this measuring star temperatures, students find the temperature of a star using Planck's curve and the Wein Displacement law. Students also find the peak wavelengths for given stars using Planck's curve.
Curated OER
Aurora to Magnetosphere Global Exploration
In this magnetosphere global exploration worksheet, students read about the instrument on board a satellite launched by NASA called the Radio Plasma Imager. This imager detects echoes from plasma clouds. Students calculate the distance...
Curated OER
Jeopardy 8th Grade (Science)
There are so many topics touched upon in this Jeopardy-style science game, that it is difficult to classify! The categories include electricity, matter, ecology, earth and space, and scientific investigation. This would best be used at...
Curated OER
Frozen Film
Students discover how light reflects off surfaces. For this hands-on demonstration, students examine how variations in color are produced by light interference.
Curated OER
Investigation of Polarized Light
Students investigate how polorizers filter light. In this physics instructional activity, students record their data and plot their results using a computer logging software. They discuss practical applications of polarization.
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Radiation and the Bohr Atom
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.
Curated OER
Introduction to Light
Young scholars study the basic structure of the atom. In this chemistry activity, students explain how colors relate to energy that electrons emit. They calculate energy of the emitted photons.
Curated OER
Sound Busters
Fourth graders engage in a study of sound pollution at their school. After a class discussion on what noise pollution is, learners are asked if they think there are areas of their school or community where noise pollution is a problem....
Curated OER
Black and White Bottle Experiment
Students investigate solar energy and color. In this solar energy lesson plan, students assess the benefits of solar energy. Students discover that solar energy is attracted to darker colors and conduct an experiment using colored...
Urbana School District
Magnetism
The compass was first used in 206 B.C., but we didn't discover magnetic poles until 1263 A.D. Presentation begins with the history of magnetism before continuing on to magnetic fields, magnetic forces, electromagnets, currents,...
Discovery Education
It's Too Loud!
STEM scholars investigate sound attenuation by conducting an experiment in which they compare the farthest distance that they can hear a sound with and without ear protection.