In this microscope lesson students explore the compound light microscope. Students discover techniques concerning cleaning, storage and proper use of the microscope. Students discover the working parts of the compound light microscope as...

Students discuss different ways engineers use light. In this engineering lesson plan, students are introduced to the properties of light and the way light is used. They view a demonstration of light waves using a slinky, and practice...

Students learn the basic anatomy of a tree through exploration of tree centers.

Fourth graders observe mealworms over a period of time and record any changes they observe. They record any changes in color, length, behavior, and any other noticeable changes, identify the stages of the mealworms, and create a chart...

Students perform a simulation of the workings of an electron microscope to discover that the resolution will need to improved to detect objects in the nano-scale. They use wooden dowels as detectors to determine the shape of objects in...

Students are told to create a community using words or pictures. They walk outside to an area in front of the school which has a strip of grass, ditch, and corn field. Students discuss the difference between an ecosystem and a...

Learners explore magnification. In this science skills observation lesson, students make a hand lens using a wire loop and a small amount of water.

Students explore the parts of a microscope. In this microscope lesson plan, students examine simple and compound microscopes. Students discover how the parts of a microscope work together to generate an image.

In this word search worksheet, students locate 12 words related microscopes. The word list includes ocular lens, and stage clips.

Students research space flight exploration and technology. In small groups, they research a significant event from early time until the start of the space age. A class time line is created from the research groups.

Pupils inspect several different specimens of insects and spiders to determine characteristics that are similar and different between the two groups. They identify the basic body structure of spiders and insects and then predict where...

Students study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Students classify the...

Students create their own cameras to understand how artists use light to capture an image in a photograph. In this light lesson plan, students use tape, wax paper, rubber bands, and more to create their cameras.

Students analyze a microscope and study what they do.  In this investigative lesson students study how microscopes were first invented, and how ray diagrams are used in conjunction. 

Students examine and identify plant parts to recognize specific weeds, identify three different weeds, discern differences in weeds quickly, evaluate classmates' weed recognition, and discuss what strategies they used to identify weeds.

Students make a pinhole viewer to demonstrate how it inverts light passing through it which produces inverted images.

In this microscopes activity, students access a website to complete questions about the early compound microscopes and the scientist involved in the development. This activity has 1 graphic organizer, 7 fill in the blank, and 10 short...

Tenth graders become aware of the need for eye safety in the classroom through three mini labs.

Investigate the behavior of a water filled vial, and discover why it acts like a magnifier. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what causes light rays to change direction.

Lenses are precisely shaped pieces of glass that have been developed and used in corrective glasses, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, and magnifying glasses. They can be convex or concave. Links are provided to a video an a test.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the type, size, location, and orientation of the image that forms when a thin lens is used to view an object using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...

The invention of magnifiers that allow us to see things that are otherwise invisible to us has revolutionized science. In this lesson, students use several types of magnifiers to investigate magnification, and record their observations....

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.

Highly informational optic site for kids provides everything one might want to know about light. Various topics include light basics, controlling light, lenses, complex lenses, what's cool about lasers and much more!