Curated OER
Wavelength And Resolution
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...
Curated OER
Radiation from Space
In this radiation worksheet, students review the different types of radiation waves that come from space and the different telescopes used to detect this radiation. This worksheet has 17 true or false questions.
Teach Engineering
Thirsty for Gold
In the last portion of the six-part unit, teams perform an experiment with gold nanoparticles to determine which sport drink has the most electrolytes. The nanoparticles are used as chemical sensors and fluoresce in different wavelengths...
Curated OER
Reflection and Refraction
What is a prism? A place for light waves that commit minor refractions! The thorough resource includes three hands-on investigations covering light reflection and refraction; mirrors, lenses, and images; and optical systems. Subject...
Cornell University
Thinking with the Eyes
Objects are larger (or smaller) than they appear! Scholars use a laboratory investigation to explore the difference between resolution and magnification. The activity allows them to calculate the size of the field of view of their light...
Cornell University
Plant Cell Crime Scene
Use science to solve the mystery of the Poplar murder. Pupils use forensic botany to determine if a suspect could be the killer. By analyzing images from a Transmission Electron Microscope, learners determine if the material found on the...
Colorado State University
How Can I Turn a Solar Oven into a Refrigerator?
Whether you want to heat things up in science class or cool things down a bit, an intriguing lab's got you covered! Science scholars explore the principles of thermodynamics using a solar oven, then change the conditions to turn their...
Curated OER
HW Unit 10:7-Light
In this light worksheet, students answer twenty six questions about sound and light and how they both travel. They also answer questions about different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum such as radio waves, visible light,...
Curated OER
Introduction to Light
Students study the basic structure of the atom. In this chemistry lesson, students explain how colors relate to energy that electrons emit. They calculate energy of the emitted photons.
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students explore water. In this water lesson, students explore the physical properties and states of water. They observe how water changes states and document what they see.
Curated OER
Lesson- Colors of Stars
Student describes what happens to the color of a stove burner or a coal as it gets hotter. They use the applet to determine what range of temperatures range give you a red light, what range of temperatures would give you a white light,...
Curated OER
The Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Lumbriculus
Students explore the effects of ultraviolet light on Lumbriculus. They expose ultraviolet light to Lumbriculus (worm) and determine the lethal exposure time. They examine the worm and record their observations.
Curated OER
Stellar Spectral Fingerprints
Students 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...
Cornell University
What Happens When We Excite Atoms and Molecules?
Excited atoms lead to exciting lessons! Learners use heat and light to excite both atoms and molecules. They display their learning in the form of Bohr models depicting the excited state of the atoms.
CK-12 Foundation
Atomic Colors
Stars are too hot to visit, so how do we know what different stars are made of? An enlightening simulation uses a spectrum graph to show the various electron emission and absorption reactions. Scholars experiment with both helium and...
University of Colorado
Designing a Spectroscopy Mission
Design a mission over the rainbow. Small groups spend several weeks together determining a mission related to spectroscopy. The teams build spectrographs and analyze the design to determine whether it will carry out the mission. At the...
Curated OER
To See or Not to See
Students identify and discuss key factors that determine how effective color camouflage is in certain habitats. For this investigative lesson students divide into groups and study light.
Curated OER
Spectrophotometry Lab
Students use a machine called a spectrophotometer to determine how much light is absorbed by certain substances. Students record the absorbance and the % of light transmitted for different color solutions, graph their results, and then...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis Lesson Plans
You can teach students about the importance of plants and the process of photosynthesis with motivating lesson plans. Follow along and find out how one science teacher uses experiments, stories, and her love of plants to get kids excited...
Curated OER
Chemical Sleuthing
Learners engage in a lesson which includes flame tests and the construction of a simple diffraction spectrograph with which to measure sodium ion emissions. They use the Bragg equation to compute the wavelength of the line spectra produced.
Curated OER
Iron in Foods
Students determine the amount of iron in a sample of cereal. In this iron lesson plan, students use a computer colorimeter to measure the amount of light absorbed by the solutions. They create a calibration curve using standard solutions...
Curated OER
Data Corruption by High-Energy Particles
In this data corruption by high-energy particles, students solve 4 problems about the solar flare that corrupted the imagers measuring them. Students find the speed of the arriving particles and the percentage of light-speed the...
Curated OER
The Webb Space Telescope: Detecting Dwarf Planets
For this detecting dwarf planets worksheet, high schoolers read about the Webb Space Telescope that will be launched in 2014 to detect dwarf planets using an infrared telescope. Students solve 3 problems and create a graph for each using...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Radiation and the Bohr Atom
In this light worksheet, students calculate the frequency and wavelength. Students practice applying Planck's constant and determining the energy of a photon. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.