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Light Maze
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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.

Make a Green Gumball Black
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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!

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!

Paper Whites
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Learners observe different paper samples under ordinary room light and under a black light to learn some of the chemical differences between different types of paper.

Polarized Light Mosaic
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In this activity, learners use transparent tape and polarizing material to create and project beautifully colored patterns reminiscent of abstract or geometric stained glass windows--no glass required

Views From Windows
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In this activity, learners use their imaginations and picture a scene in their heads.

Kaleidoscope
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In this activity, learners investigate the reflective properties of light and mirrors as they make a kaleidoscope.

Your Father's Nose
Source Institutions
In this fun optics activity, learners explore principles of light, reflection (mirrors), and perception. Learners work in pairs and sit on opposite sides of a "two-way" mirror.
Mix and Match
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners explore color by examining color dots through colored water and the light of a flashlight.

Pixel Tube
Source Institutions
In this STEAM activity, learners create a "pixel tube" to explore reflections of light and color mixing.

Light is Made of Colors
Source Institutions
Learners observe different light sources, outdoors and indoors, using prism glasses (diffraction glasses) and color filters.

Rainbow Refraction
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore how light can refract or break apart into different colors.

Morphing Butterfly
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how nanosized structures can create brilliant color.

Corner Reflector
Source Institutions
In this optics/mathematics activity, learners use two hinged mirrors to create a kaleidoscope that shows multiple images of an object.

Pinhole Magnifier
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In this activity related to light and perception, learners use a pinhole in an index card as a magnifying glass to help their eye focus on a nearby object.

Flashlight Play
Source Institutions
In this activity, young learners will explore light and darkness through flashlight play.

Nebula in a Jar
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will build a model of a nebula using cotton balls and colored water. Astronomers photograph nebulas and add colors to provide information about the nebula's composition.

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.

Shadow Puppets
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In this activity, learners will create their own simple shadow puppets, and experiment with light and shadow while playing with them.

Globe at Night
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In this international citizen science activity, learners measure their night sky brightness and submit their observations into an online database.