Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Mystery of the Senses Vision

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Understand how our brain identifies an object, view six optical illusions and explain why the visual system might interpret them the way it does.
Handout
Other

Short Biography: David Brewster

For Students 9th - 10th
A very brief biography that lists his major accomplishments including the invention of the kaleidoscope.
Article
Other

United States Master Swimming: Fiber Aquatics

For Students 9th - 10th
The principle of total internal reflection is discussed in this article. The appearance of objects from inside the water of a swimming pool is compared to the path of light in a fiber optic cable.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Isaac Newton (1643 1727)

For Students 9th - 10th
This life of Isaac Newton' traces his life from birth through childhood to his rise as a renown scientist and mathematician.
Unit Plan
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics for Kids: What Is Light?

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a short explanation of light, how it travels, and the speed in which it travels. Many other concepts related to optics can be found on this site as well.
Website
Harvard University

Web Science Resources: A Brief History of Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
This timeline compiles an enormous amount of historical information from the field of optics. From 300 BCE to the present, strategic experiments, findings, and theories are described.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Augustin Fresnel

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch on the life and work of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827). Comments on a few of his scientific accomplishments.
Handout
Other

Muslim Scientists: Mohammad Ibn Zakariya Al Razi

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief biography of Mohammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, famous for his contributions to the fields and studies of medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and physics.
Handout
Other

Geometric Optics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site provides a very brief definition to geometric optics, and includes links to related information.