Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Giant Lens

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of how to make a refraction exhibit using a Fresnel lens. Consists of assembly instructions and a "To do and notice" section.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Thin Lens Equation

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an informative site from Georgia State University. It gives a discussion of the thin lens equation and an illustration of its use in determining the image distance based upon the object distance and the focal length.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Kids: Elinor Wonders Why: Elinor's Nature Adventure

For Students Pre-K - K
Come explore with Elinor! Use the tools provided to observe your environment as you take a nature walk. What will you find?
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: How Old Is That Thing on That Rock?

For Teachers K - 1st
Students using magnifying glasses to observe collected fossils, and then make inferences and hypotheses about the age of the specimens.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: A Soluble Separation Solution

For Students 3rd - 5th
Have you ever mixed together salt and pepper? Isn't it fun to see how all of those tiny grains of salt and pepper mix together. But what if you had to separate them out again? Do you have nightmares of tiny tweezers, a magnifying glass,...
Website
Other

Louvre Museum: A Closer Look at the Seated Scribe

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a closer look at a work of Egyptian sculpture wherein you can see details of the work through a virtual magnifying glass. Accompanying commentaries and animations provide historical and artistic analysis. Useful in-context tools...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Stations of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. While learning how a...
Interactive
Tate

Tate Online: Case of the Mysterious Object

For Students 3rd - 8th
A clever and compelling interactive introduction to art appreciation and visual literacy. Parent and child or older child/younger child can pair up to solve an art gallery mystery. The object of this activity is to answer questions about...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Water Sphere Lens

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A discussion of how to make a magnifying lens exhibit using a water-filled flask and a light bulb. Consists of assembly instructions and a "To do and notice" section. Great for a teacher demonstration or a student project.
Activity
Optical Society

Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Watch Tv Upside Down

For Students 1st - 5th
An experiment to invert a television image using a magnifying lens. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening.
Unit Plan
BBC

Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Lenses

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Compare Fabric Materials

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students will look at different types of fabric and their respective individual properties. Using a magnifying glass and sandpaper they will test and observe the weave of fabrics and the wear quality of sample fabrics. By comparing the...
Interactive
TVOntario

Tvo Kids: Explore the Night

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Use your magnifying glass, binoculars, and telescope to go night exploring with Tia and learn about the natural world around you.