Center Science Education
Looking Into Surface Albedo
How does the color of a surface affect the heating of the earth? Middle school science classes experiment with color and surface albedo to determine the relationship. The website has tabs for an overview, teacher's instructions,...
Physics Classroom
Law Enforcement - Refraction
Pupils apply their knowledge of refraction to four different sets of challenges. Each of the first three focus on one variable's impact on the direction of bending. The fourth combines variables for greater challenge.
Curated OER
What Color is It?
Learners indentify whether an objects reflects or absorbs red, green, and/or blue light. They create a simple spectral signature.
Curated OER
Albedo and Irradiation of Surfaces
Here is a physical science activity where pupils place thermometers inside of a white and a black paper pocket and place them under a lamp. They record and compare the temperature increase over a ten-minute period. Have your class...
Curated OER
In My Own Voice
Students engage in a language arts lesson in order to appreciate the study of names. They investigate the significance of a name to the owner. Students research the origins of their own name and state how it reflects their personality.
Curated OER
Laser Types and Uses
Young scholars examine the properties of lasers and research their types and uses. In this laser lesson students view several demonstrations.
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
Sensing Energy: Designing to Stay Cool
Students examine the energy the sun produces on a daily basis. In groups, they discover the properties of visible and invisible light. They also adjust the exposure time to change the properties of various objects. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Addressing Student's Questions in the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks
Students discuss peacemaking. In this political policy and emotions lesson, students explore ideas for expressing feelings in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Students reflect on punitive and restorative justice.
Curated OER
Splash
Learners work together to enhance their communication and problem solving skills. They move a cup of water from a tarp to a higher surface using nothing but pieces of yarn. In addition, they reflect on the lab experience.
Curated OER
Obtain a visible spectra of chlorophyll a
High schoolers 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...
Curated OER
WorldWatcher Activity: What Happens to Sunlight?
Learners examine a set of data to try to determine the amount of cloud cover. In groups, they make a list of items that reflect light in the atmosphere and how different amounts of it can change the temperature. Using WorldWatcher,...
Curated OER
The Geometry of Real Images
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.
Curated OER
Contour Drawing Shells
Students develop skills in shading and create eye movement through the use of lights and darks. They show five principles of shading while drawing shells and bones.
Curated OER
Echolocation
Students explore echolocation. In this bats science lesson, students compare sunlight reflecting off a mirror to sound waves hitting a bat's ears. Students complete a worksheet about bats.
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Color and Spectrum
Students examine the spectra of light sources that have similar colors. For this light lesson students complete an activity using various lights in the classroom and discuss the colors and the heat generated.
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Enlightening Explorations, Part II
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, they examine light being relfected and refracted and...
Curated OER
Optical Images
Ninth graders study optics and the law of reflection. In this optical images lesson students use a laser and conceptualize the law of reflection.
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The Connection Between Pigment and Light Colors
Students explain the mole concept and use this concept to prepare chemical solutions of particular molarities.
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Moon Light Through the Month
Students work in small groups to arrange moon phase cards into the correct sequence. The goal is to circle as many consecutive numbers as possible in two minutes.
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Light Bounce
Students solve problems involving triangles. In this geometry lesson, students apply properties of triangles to find the missing angles and sides. They identify angles of parallel lines cut by a transversal.
Discovery Education
It's Getting Hot in Here
Class members engage in a STEM experiment and investigate how materials affect heating in a house by creating models of houses and using different top surface materials. They record the temperature inside the models and consider what the...
Teach Engineering
Concentrated Solar Power
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.
Curated OER
Reflections on the Self - Self Portrait
Students produce their own self-portraits and use them to create a book in iPhoto. They explore the visual symbols used by artists to communicate their feelings, interests, and identity.