Lesson Plan

Designing a Spectroscopy Mission

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

In this mind-bending activity, young engineers explore this question of whether or not light actually bends. Using holographic diffraction gratings, groups design and build a spectrograph. The groups then move on research a problem related to solar system spectroscopy and design a mission to address the problem. Presentations of mission designs conclude the activity.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Use this hands-on activity as part of a light unit
  • Coordinate with the math teacher to use this activity after a study of trigonometric ratios 
Classroom Considerations
  • Activity is dependent upon the Building a Fancy Spectrograph activity
  • Holographic diffraction gratings are needed
  • Knowledge of trigonometry is required
Pros
  • The materials list provides resources in which to indicates materials that need to be purchased
  • nformation provides an explanation of how diffraction gratings work
Cons
  • This is not a stand-alone activity
  • May require mathematical concepts students have not yet learned
Common Core