Website
University of Chicago

Telescopes at Yerkes Observatory / Virtual Tour

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the difference between reflective and refractive telescopes and includes a virtual tour of Yerkes Observatory which houses the largest refracting telescope in the world.
Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Measuring Density by Bending Light

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe how different materials bend light, and how we can infer the nature of the material based on the amount it bends light rays.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Build a Telescope

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This simple lesson plan outlines how to build refracting telescopes and calculate their magnification. Use the follow up lab questions to check for student understanding and view links to other NASA lesson plans.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Show Me the Genes

For Teachers 10th - 12th
In this activity, students create posters which explain and illustrate thin film refraction and the factors that influence it. The goal is to explain the experimental results of using an optical biosensor, and prove these results with a...
Interactive
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Lens Maker's Formula

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the lens-maker's formula and its use in determining the effect of lens shape and index of refraction upon the magnifying power of a lens. Includes an interactive problem-solving section.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Eye Disease and Contact Lenses

For Students 9th - 10th
Punctate keratitis is an eye disease that results in abrasions on the epithelial cornea. One of the leading causes of the disease is the overuse of contact lenses. A research team is investigating the optical properties of four new types...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Stations of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. While learning how a...
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Iii

For Teachers 6th
This lesson contains the following labs: Rainbows, Refraction with Prisms, and What Color Is It? Students will study light by reading various nonfiction texts and viewing a video lesson. Then students will engage in the following labs:...
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Methods of Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
At this college physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated as well as the primary methods of polarization (scattering, reflection, and refraction).
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Microscope

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Georgia State University Physics Department provides a discussion of how light refracts through the lenses of a microscope. Demonstrates the parts of a microscope and includes an interactive form in which the magnifying...
Website
Florida State University

Florida State University: Microscopy Primer: Anatomy of the Microscope

For Students 9th - 10th
The premier web site on the physics of microscopy. Includes several pages and numerous Java applets about microscopes and refraction. Thorough, well-illustrated, interactive, fun, and educational. What more can one ask for?
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Diamond Cut

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] A simulation investigating why a diamond shines by looking at refraction, reflection, and total internal reflection.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Physical Science: Light and Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
Students will investigate the properties of light waves. They will learn about the different types of electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves, and investigate the phenomena of reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction.
Activity
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Ology: See the Light

For Students 3rd - 8th
Reflection, refraction, and the colors that make up white light is explored through lab activities after reading a brief background about light energy.
Unit Plan
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: School of Physics: Physclips: Geometrical Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
Physiclips thoroughly presents geometrical optics concepts like rays, refraction, Snell's law, total internal reflection, dispersion, mirrors, and lenses with animations and film clips.
Activity
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Geometric Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
An interactive simulation that teaches about refraction, lens, and optics. Students manipulate the focal length of the lens, and move the object, lens, and screen in order to see how the image is affected. This simulation can either be...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Giant Lens

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of how to make a refraction exhibit using a Fresnel lens. Consists of assembly instructions and a "To do and notice" section.
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Bending Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore bending of light between two media with different indices of refraction. See how changing from air to water to glass changes the bending angle. Play with prisms of different shapes and make rainbows.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Learning Light's Properties

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn the basic properties of light--the concepts of light absorption, transmission, reflection and refraction, as well as the behavior of light during interference. Lecture information briefly addresses the electromagnetic...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: What Is Light?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the characteristics of light and its properties. Students are given examples of reflection, refraction, and lens types. An assessment component is included.
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: I'm So Bright! I Wear My Shades Indoors!

For Teachers 6th
This lesson engages students in learning about light through multiple sources. Students will learn how light is produced, reflected, refracted, and separated. Students will communicate their findings through an independent project that...
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Ii

For Teachers 6th
This lesson engages students in learning about light. Studets will describe how light is produced, reflected, refracted, and separated.
Activity
Optical Society

Optical Society of America: Exploring Science of Light: Intermediate Activities

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of intermediate experiments, for students aged ten and up, for exploring the magnification, reflection, and refraction of light.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Wave Properties

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate behaviors of waves, including interference, reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

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