Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 34

Wandering Wands
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners construct wands that play different notes depending on information from light sensors programmed via a PICO Cricket.

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.

Glowing in the Dark
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore phosphorescence and how certain materials can absorb and store energy from a light source.

Three Colors of Light
Source Institutions
Have fun with additive mixing! Observe what happens when the three primary colors of light--red, green and blue--are mixed together, resulting in white light.

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.

First Impressions
Source Institutions
Learners experiment with a commercial photo-sensitive paper (Sunprint® or NaturePrint® paper). They place opaque and clear objects on the paper and expose it to bright light, observing the results.

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

Luminescence
Source Institutions
In this two-part activity about luminescence, learners explore the chemistry that happens inside glow sticks and other light producing reactions.

Soap Bubble Shapes
Source Institutions
Learners explore three-dimensional geometric frames including cubes and tetrahedrons, as they create bubble wands with pipe cleaners and drinking straws.

Why are Compact Fluorescent Bulbs More Efficient?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the relative efficiency of different bulbs, specifically incandescent vs. fluorescent.

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

Why Are Bubbles So Colorful?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore why they can see colors in bubbles and why they change.

Illuminations on Rates of Reactions
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate the speed of chemical reactions with light sticks. Learners discover that reactions can be sped up or slowed down due to temperature changes.

Bubble Tray
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use simple materials to create giant bubbles.

Periscope
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners build a spy tool to secretly view things over walls or around corners.

Kaleidoscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build inexpensive kaleidoscopes using transparency paper and foil (instead of mirrors).

Make a Garbage Bag Kite
Source Institutions
Make a kite out of a garbage bag, shower curtain, painting tarp--anything light, thin, flexible and plastic!

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.

LEGO Orrery
Source Institutions
Use this model to demonstrate the goal of NASA's Kepler Mission: to find extrasolar planets through the transit method.