• Field Trip

    More than 250 interactive science, technology, energy and health exhibits await students of all ages.  We’re experts at making sure that bringing your group to the Museum is smooth sailing all the way. Discounted admission for groups of 20 or more!

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  • ScienceWorks

    Your students become scientists during our 50-minute ScienceWorks Labs that provide hands-on experience with a variety of topics identified in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.  Each lab includes pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities.  Labs are available year-round for preschool to middle school students.

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  • Outreach

    It's Science on Wheels: We bring the Museum to you!  We offer fun, inquiry-based programs for the students in your classroom, library, festival or youth center! All programs address objectives outlined in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and include pre- and post-visit activities.

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  • Series Outreach

    We bring science activities, writing exercises, and academic confidence to your students. Our programs are proven to correlate with a rise in Science MEAP scores among participating students. Each program is a series of workshops led by a highly qualified teacher and aligns with MI Grade Level Content Expectations.  All materials are provided.

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  • Distance Learning

    Our educators use videoconferencing to engage your students in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Program kits sent to classroom teachers include nearly everything you need for experiments. Kits are yours to keep! All programs address National Science Education Standards and align with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.

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  • Professional Development

    Join us for fast-paced, hands-on teacher workshops that provide elementary and middle school educators with new hands-on tools for incorporating interactive science and math activities into your classroom.  Join us for professional development opportunities both at the museum and at your school.

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  • Summer of Science

     

    Whether you’re with a group or your family, explore over 250 exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experience a unique Summer ScienceWorks Lab. Visit the Museum and fill your summer with science!

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  • Summer Camp

    Explore week-long science and math activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and community collaborators.  Elementary and middle school children can investigate a different theme each week through hands-on and engaging fun.

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  • Birthday Parties

    What do you get when you mix one part science, one part fun, and one part celebration? A birthday party at the Museum! Experience a birthday full of discovery by exploring more than 250 exhibits and experimenting with a hands-on activity. Celebrate in a unique and interactive environment to make your special day really special!

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Back to Programs

Bright Idea (2nd-3rd)

ScienceWorks: Bright Idea (2nd-3rd)

Explore light and optics as we learn how light travels, the difference between reflection and refraction. Discover what color light really is using flashlights, lenses, special glasses and more. Register today!

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

  • Identify light and sound as forms of energy. (P.EN.03.11)
  • Demonstrate that light travels in a straight path and that shadows are made by placing an object in a path of light.(P.EN.03.21)
  • Observe what happens to light when it travels from air to water (a straw half in water and half in the air looks bent) (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
  • Students should be prepared to give their attention to the Lab instructors when requested to “Give Me Five”
  • 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

Burnie, David. Eyewitness Books: Light. DK Publishing. 1992.

Doherty, Paul. The Magic Wand and Other Bright Experiments on Light and Color. The Exploratorium Science Snack Book Series. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1995.

Primarily Physics: Investigations in Sound, Light and Heat Energy Grades K-3. AIMS Education Foundation. 1994.

Tolman, Marvin N. Hands-On Physical Science Activities for Grades 2-8. Parker Publishing Company, Inc., NY. 1995.

Wood, Robert W. Light FUNdamentals: Funtastic Science Activities for Kids. Learning Triangle Press, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1997.

Zubrowski, Bernie. Mirrors: Finding Out About the Properties of Light. William Morrow and Company. 1992.

Science Made Simple Grades 1-6. Frank Schaffer Productions, CA. 1997.



Internet

The Exploratorium Teacher Institute

Science, Optics and You

Bright Idea (2nd-3rd)

ScienceWorks

School

50 minutes

K-2nd, 3-5th

20, 30, 60, 100

Physical Sciences