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Overhead Spectroscopy
Students explore the relevance and importance of data collection and analysis techniques that use different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. They observe the basic concepts of the visible electromagnetic spectrum and the...
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The Lighter Side of Color
Young scholars explore light and color, including how colors are mixed to produce new colors, how light is filtered, and how light is reflected off of surfaces. They read materials provided, complete worksheets, and complete hands-on...
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How Far...How Powerful
Students explore the concept of gamma ray bursts. They examine basic physics concepts about light, measure the shifts of spectral lines, and utilize Hubble's Law to deduce the velocity of an astronomical object.
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As the Sun Burns
Young scholars test commercial sunscreens or sunglasses for accuracy of their Sun Protection Factor. They devise a method for testing UV beads with a visual clues which they publish as research. They investigate occupations such as...
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Exploring Solar Beads
Pupils discover solar energy beads and learn about ultraviolet light. In this solar energy lesson, students learn about solar energy beads, ultraviolet light, and UV radiation dangers. Pupils experiment with the beads to identify.
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Supernova Chemistry
Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...
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Get the Picture!
Astronomers practice downloading data from a high-energy satellite and translate the data into colored or shaded pixels. As a hands-on activity, they use pennies to simulate high-energy satellite data and they convert their penny...
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Can You See the Music?
Fourth graders examine the makeup of the electromagnetic spectrum and how the various forms of EMRs are similar and different from each other. They, in pairs, solve problems from worksheets imbedded in this lesson plan.
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Stellar Spectral Fingerprints
Learners listen as the teacher introduces Newton's early discovery of the diffraction of light. They use multiple sources of light (fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc) to bend the light. They first use a prism then a diffraction...
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Light My Fire ...Fly
High schoolers examine fire flies. They measure the frequency of light stimulus used by communicating fire flies. Students explore the concept of organisms using light to communicate. High schoolers film the fire flies and quantify...
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Spectral Surprise
Students create spectral colors. In this hands-on science lesson, students examine the electromagnetic spectrum as they follow steps to create a model that separates and displays light.
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Identifying Elements
Students use diffraction glasses to find similarities and differences between observed spectrum of fluorescent light and an incandescent light They work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise.
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How Far... How Powerfu
Students work with a real optical spectrum of a gamma ray burst afterglow taken at the Keck Observatory. They measure the shifts of spectral lines, deduce the velocity of the astronomical object, and then use Hubble's Law to get its...
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Electromagnetic Spectrum
Learners define electromagnetic radiation, list major categories and uses of electromagnetic waves, identify potential health risks with electromagnetic waves, and demonstrate understanding of Plank's constant by solving quantitative...
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Earth's Winds, Crust, and Atmosphere
This site provides a variety of activities and worksheets about the problem-based learning activity about Earth and its atmosphere. The lessons can be used separately or together in a geology unit. The resources and charts are very...
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Demonstrating That Light is Dissipated as Chlorophyll a Fluoresces
Students examine the concepts of light and chlorophyll. They participate in an experiment in which the chlorophyll shows as a red ring on the test tube. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.
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Light & Colors
Students identify the types of light on the visible spectrum. They identify relationships between angles and mirrors. They state how they use light in their everyday lives.
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Atomic Absorption Determination of Zinc and Copper in a Multivitamin
Advanced lab apprentices prepare zinc and copper solutions to which they will compare the same minerals from a multivitamin. Using absorption spectroscopy, they analyze the contents of the multivitamin for concentration. This lab can be...
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The Sun's Energy
Sixth graders examine how the sun's energy arrives as light with a range of wavelengths. They discuss the characteristics of light, examine the color of light using a spectroscope, and conduct an experiment using water and thermometers....
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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...
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Everybody Needs a Little Sunshine
Three activities introduce upper elementary ecologists to photosynthesis and food webs. In the first, an experiment is set up to determine how plants respond to different types of light. In the second, they connect organism cards with...
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Herschel Infrared Experiment
Students perform a version of the experiment of 1800 by the famous astronomer Sir Frederick William Herschel.
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Ways to See the Sun
Young scholars examine how the regions of the Sun are studied using spectroscopy. They investigate the electromagnetic spectrum and the types of radiation that are associated with it. They use prisms and CD's to examine the light...
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Extreme Flashlight Tag
Fifth graders view a Powerpoint show about reflecting light. They experiment through a reflection simulation on the internet. Students complete the activity by using mirrors and light to complete send light to a specified spot.