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Showing results 1 to 20 of 40
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Light Maze
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore light with reflective surfaces. Learners will make predictions and share their observations as they experiment with directing a beam of light.
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The Old White Sheet Trick: Light and Insect Behavior
Source Institutions
In this outdoor, nighttime activity, learners gather around a brightly lit, white surface and study the behavior of nocturnal animals attracted to the light, particularly night fliers.
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Make a Green Gumball Black
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners use a shoebox, colored cellophane and sunlight to "change" the colors of gumballs. Learners will be surprised when the green and blue gumballs appear black!
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Pictures From Light
Source Institutions
Did you know that using a lens one can bend light to make pictures of the world? It's true!
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Bubbularium: See the Colors in Bubbles
Source Institutions
With little more than a flashlight, a straw, and a plastic lid, make an observatory so you can see the amazing colors in bubbles.
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Make a UV Detector
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use tonic water to detect ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun and explore the concept of fluorescence.
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See the Light
Source Institutions
Learners mix a solution of luminol with hydrogen peroxide to produce a reaction that gives off blue light.
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Thar She Glows!
Source Institutions
Learners observe glow-in-the-dark objects in a homemade light-proof box. Objects can include glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark toys, and toys with fluorescent paint.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-650.jpg?itok=P1LZ5QF-)
Kaleidoscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate the reflective properties of light and mirrors as they make a kaleidoscope.
Glowing Tonic
Source Institutions
In this sunny day activity, learners compare how a cup of water and a cup of tonic water reflect or refract light in the sun.
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Make a Rainbow
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore light and rainbows with this easy setup! Learners will only need a cup of water, some paper and a flashlight.
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Paper Lanterns
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore light and shadows by creating a lantern they can keep on their nightstand.
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Changing Colors
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore how different colors of lights interact with objects around them. Will a blue object stay blue with a red filter?
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Up Periscope!
Source Institutions
This activity provides instructions for building a mirrored tube--a smaller and simpler version of a submarine's periscope--that lets you see around corners and over walls.
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Reflecting Rainbows: Decorate Your White Walls With Rainbow Colors!
Source Institutions
Like water drops in falling rain, a CD separates white light into all the colors that make it up.
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Bubble Tray
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use simple materials to create giant bubbles.
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Photosynthesis and Transpiration
Source Institutions
In this activity on page 7 of the PDF (Plants—The Green Machines), learners examine the effects that light and air have on green plants.
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Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a simple pinhole viewer. They use this apparatus to project images from a variety of light sources, including a candle, the Sun, and the Moon.
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Kaleid-o-mania
Source Institutions
In this hands-on activity, learners build their own kaleidoscopes and explore how light can reflect of off surfaces such as mirrors, to produce beautiful patterns.
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Seeing in the Dark
Source Institutions
In this activity (17th on the page), learners investigate why you cannot see colors in dim light.