Gummy bears are tasty, but did you know they are also used to determine color and light properties? Use the activity as a way to demonstrate light absorption, light reflection, and refraction with high schooler....

Your class might be surprised to learn that mirrors have been around since the first century AD! Young scientists explore reflection and refraction of light through a series of challenges. They use this knowledge to design their own...

Explore the behavior of light with different materials. Collaborative groups determine whether certain materials absorb, reflect, diffract, or transmit light waves. They then measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection.

Message sending has come a long way since the days of Morse code's dots and dashes. Young scientists study the research of optical physicist Anthony Johnson and his work in fiber optics, lasers, and the principle of total internal...

Explore the behavior of light waves with a lab activity. Scholars build new vocabulary through experimentation and observation. Using different mediums, they model reflection, refraction, transmission, diffusion, and scattering of light.

Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function...

Students examine the properties of lasers and research their types and uses.  In this laser lesson students view several demonstrations.

Information on the biomedical use of nanotechnology, specifically in the detection and treatment of cancer, is the focus of a lesson that seems like it is out of a science fiction novel. Pupils learn about electrophoresis, which is used...

Physics lab groups finagle with laser lights to determine the critical angle of refraction for both water and Lucite. Because there are no detailed steps or an answer key for this enlightening exercise, an inexperienced physics...

Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks. 

A two-part lesson 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 total internal...

How do robots assist ocean explorers in collecting data and images? The final installment in a five-part series has science scholars examine underwater images collected by robots and identify the organisms shown. Groups then calculate...

Students study the different types of light bulbs. In this exploratory instructional activity students complete several activities and create an electrical circuit.

Fifth graders explore electromagnetic waves and light. In this light lesson, 5th graders draw the parts of a wave of the electromagnetic spectrum. They compare a flashlight to a laser to see how the light looks when shined through...

High schoolers investigate light behavior by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students calculate the wavelength of the light source using an equation. They determine what color is produced when light of...

Pupils explore the use of lasers. In this "lasers" science and career education lesson, students search the Internet to find uses for lasers and make a list of companies that use or produce lasers. Pupils complete a lasers and making...

Students explain how laser security systems work.  In this security system design lesson students create a presentation of their system that they designed. 

How can a robot measure the length of something when we don't know how far the camera is from the object? The instructional activity explains the concept of perspective and many others. Scholars apply this knowledge to judge the length...

Twelfth graders investigate the refractive index of water. In this physics lesson, 12th graders explain the operation of laser. They write a lab report about the activity.

Learners engage in a lesson which model different types of light refraction. They perform an experiment which uses lasers, jello and wax paper to illustrate how light refracts.

Students investigate how light travels. In this optic science lesson plan, students discover that light travels in a straight line through a laser pointer demonstration. Students also study how pinhole cameras work by considering how...

Students examine the properties of light and the behavior of light during interference.  In this electromagnetics lesson students explain behaviors of light.

Middle schoolers develop an invisible security system to protect a mummified troll.  In this security system lesson students view a portion of Mythbusters and begin their challenge.

Students are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...