A webpage on optical illusions, containing a grid of black squares, an elephant with four or five legs, and a picture with three faces in it.

Describes the different types of optical illusions and their characteristics.

Discusses how optical illusions are actually caused by how our eyes and brains work.

An interesting discussion of optical illusions, their benefits for children, the skills incorporated in drawing your own, and some different types.

Discover the philosophers and scientists who studied optical illusions and some of the techniques used to create the illusions.

A great resource to discover fun new activities to use in your classroom. Activities are age-appropriate, and span several science topics.

A collection of information on the science of light and optics. Features a wide variety of resources: key events in history, reference materials, multimedia links, optical illusion activities, glossary of optics terms, and information on...

Experiments and activities for investigating the science of light, as well as in-depth explanations of some of the light principles.

Recreate this optical illusion using two parabolic mirrors to make it appear like an object is in the center, when it is really just its image. This experiment requires special equipment which may need to be purchased.

Create this optical illusion that incorporates what is known as the waterfall effect.

Explore the behavior of light as it reflects off a concave mirror in this optical illusion.

This resource contains some optical illusions that will boggle your mind as you try to figure them out.

A simple experiment that demonstrates the concept of total internal reflection, and shows how light can travel around curves and corners, as it does in fiber-optic cables. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening.

This timeline compiles an enormous amount of historical information from the field of optics. From 300 BCE to the present, strategic experiments, findings, and theories are described.

Biography of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), the scientist who first put forward the theory that the Sun was the center of the universe.

Biography of Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), a scientist whose impact is felt in many disciplines today. His laws of motion are integral to basic physics, and he co-invented calculus.

Biography of Albert Einstein (1879-1955), one of the most famous physicists of the last century, best known for his theory of relativity.

Article explaining what lenses are and how they work. At the end of the article, there are links to several hands-on activities for investigating lenses.

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.

The transcript of a talk given on the syndicated radio broadcast titled "The Engines of Our Ingenuity." Interesting account of Robert Hooke. Using a captivating and engaging story line, the article tells of Hooke's many interests in...

A very comprehensive unit including topics such as light and its source, visible sources of light, transparency of objects and much more. Also offers a resource list, blackline masters, and expectation list, expectation summary and a...

Describes the importance of laser technology to modern life, how the laser was invented, how lasers work, and what we can expect in the future from laser technology. [Date of Article: October 27, 2010]

Do you know how to make a bright spot brighter? In this activity, your eyes will send conflicting information to the brain. See how you perceive what is on the paper.

Using the property of reflection, this activity will have students appearing to defy gravity.