Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Energy and Its Spectrum

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your older elementary students investigate electromagnetic energy and the electromagnetic spectrum. They will observe 7 items represented in the electromagnetic spectrum and make a poster of all the things the items have in common. After...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic and Physical Waves

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast electromagnetic and physical waves. In this wave lesson, students discover that all waves reflect, refract, and diffract energy. Students work in small groups to experiment with waves and evaluate the type...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them.  In this investigative lesson students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their findings. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Waves

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the physical properties of waves to explore the word crest and trough. They use toys to study waves in air, water and light.
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

LEDs Rainbow Connection

For Students 6th - 12th
View LED lights through the eyes of a scientist. Young scholars learn to view light as a wave frequency and connect various frequencies to different colors on the light spectrum. A lab activity asks groups to measure the frequency of...
Lesson Plan
Messenger Education

Sensing the Invisible: The Herschel Experiment

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
The electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from very powerful gamma rays (which are used to treat cancer) to much weaker radio waves (which include microwaves). Through a hands-on activity, scholars explore the temperature...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Radiation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Search

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore stars. In this star lesson, 7th graders apply generalities about space objects to constellations and explore the differences between radio waves and light waves by answering essential questions in their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WAVES AND PHOTONS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the many types of electromagnetic waves, the concept of an EM wave, how James Clerk Maxwell proposed a slight modification of the equations of electricity, Heinrich Hertz and his radio-frequency, wavelengths, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waves Interference

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students identify different wave types and their characteristics.  In this wave lesson students complete activities by activating tuning forks and interpreting data. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Physics (5A) Pre Lab

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders look at different types of waves. In this wave lesson, 5th graders find the difference and similarities of electromagnetic and physical waves. They review the components of waves such as crest, trough, wavelength, and wave...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differential Thermal Calorimetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students access prior knowledge of infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, gamma rays, x-rays and cosmic waves. In this electromagnetic waves lesson, students hold a mock trial electromagnetic spectrum. Students present characteristics of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worksheet 4-1 Atomic Spectra

For Teachers 10th - 12th
In this atomic spectra worksheet, students answer eighteen questions about wavelengths of light, the emission spectrum, energy of photons, the frequency of electromagnetic radiation and electrons in the excited state.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. In this science lesson, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sending Messages to Space

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret a message sent to space using a radio telescope and draw inferences from the interpreted message. Working with a partner, they interpret data that scientists believe is a message from aliens. They work on organizing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Waves with the Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore various types of electromagnetic waves, the range of the spectrum, and common sources of electromagnetic waves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Light: Lesson 2 - The Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the Electromagnetic Spectrum and realize there is energy beyond visible light. They identify parts of the EM Spectrum.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to verify the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of light

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars collaborate in heterogeneous groups with each student having a different role. They comprehend the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of light. They record their observations in a table that is included on...
Lesson Plan
Santa Monica College

Flame Tests of Metal Cations

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Scientists used flame tests to identify elements long before the invention of emission spectroscopy. Young chemists observe a flame test of five metal cations in the fourth lesson of an 11-part series. Individuals then work...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Waves

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students perform 3 hands-on activities to help them explain the terms "crest" and "trough" as related to sound, water, and light waves. All three waves types have troughs and crests. The activities use toys to demonstrate the properties...
Lesson Plan
Code.org

Sending Bits in the Real World

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A bit optional. How do computers transmit in the real world? Pupils research a device that is used in transmitting bits, then individuals create a poster that presents the information they have learned about their device. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unraveling the Mysteries of Objects in Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study emitted and absorbed light, and label each type of spectrum. They identify elements by their spectral signatures and use a spectroscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels. They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy: Light -- Spinning Color Wheel

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders make spinning color wheels to determine how energy effects what colors look like. They paint or color a color wheel with the seven colors of the spectrum. Next, the spin the wheel to determine what happens. In order to...