FIELD TRIPS : SCIENCEWORKS LAB : Bright Idea

Explore light and optics as we learn how light travels, where shadows come from and what color light really is using flashlights, lenses, special glasses and more.

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science, 2007

• Identify light and sound as forms of energy. (P.EN.03.11)
• Demonstrate that light travels in a straight line and that shadows are made by placing an object in a path of light. (P.EN.03.21)
• Demonstrate what happens to light when it travels from water to air. (P.EN.03.22)
• Explain how we need light to see objects: light from a source reflects off objects and enters our eyes. (P.PM.03.52)

Bright Idea Pre-visit Materials

During Your Visit to the ScienceWorks Lab students will be expected to:

• Sit in tables of 6 students and (at least) 1 adult
• “Stop, look and listen” at the Lab teacher’s request
• Work cooperatively with one another at the table
• Follow the hands-on procedures just as the Lab teacher or assistant explains them
• Handle materials and equipment carefully

It is important that teachers and chaperones:

• Help to focus the students’ attention
• Assist students with the hands-on activities and experiments when necessary
• Turn off cell phones and pagers during the class

Vocabulary

Laser: A laser is a focused beam of light.

Lens: A lens is something transparent, such as part of the eye or a piece of glass, hat bends light. Eye glasses and magnifying glasses are lenses that can help us to see clearer.

Light: Light is extra energy that an atom does not need. We use light to see, to keep us warm, to get food and oxygen from plants and to do work.

Opaque: Opaque materials do not let light pass through. Aluminum foil is an example.

Reflect: Reflect means to bounce back. Light is reflected, or bounced off, of things.

Refract: Refract means to bend light. Sometimes light is refracted, or bent, when it passes through transparent materials.

Shadow: A shadow is the dark space made when something blocks light.

Translucent: Translucent materials let some light pass through. Wax paper is one example.

Transparent: Transparent materials let nearly all of the light through. Window glass is one example.

White Light: The light that comes from the sun and most light bulbs is called white light. It is actually made up of seven different colors of light — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Bright Idea Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities will help reiterate new concepts and tie the ScienceWorks Lab experience to your classroom curriculum. Below you will find a classroom activity and a list of suggested resources for further information. We hope that you enjoyed your field trip. Visit us again!

Hands-on Activity: Path of Light

Materials (per group of 2)

• Four 3"x5" or 5"x8" index cards
• Flashlight
• Paper punch

Procedure

1. Use the paper punch to punch a hole in the center of each card.
2. Fold the short sides of the card back so it can stand up on the long side.
3. Place cards about 6 inches apart, with the holes lined up.
4. Have one student shine the flashlight into the hole in the first card. Have the other student hold their hand behind the 4th card.
5. Does the light shine on their hand? How did it get there?
6. Now move one of the cards a little bit to the side. Repeat step 4.
7. What do you see now? What does this tell you about the path light travels?

Discussion

Light always travels in a straight line. When the holes in the cards are lined up, the straight line of light can go through them. When you move one card to the side, the light can not pass through the hole.

Suggested Resources

Books

Internet

The Exploratorium Teacher Institute
Science, Optics and You