Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 63
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-725.jpg?itok=9F__gqUq)
Water Sphere Lens
Source Institutions
In this activity about light and refraction, learners make a lens and magnifying glass by filling a bowl with water.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-000-442.jpg?itok=96eWRt2w)
Bent Toward Science: Refraction
Source Institutions
This is an activity about the behavior of light. Using simple, everyday objects, learners will discover that light moves in straight lines until acted upon by another object.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-602.png?itok=4qSvPdwH)
Why is the Sky Purple?
Source Institutions
This simple hands-on activity demonstrates why the sky appears blue on a sunny day and red during sunrise and sunset.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-554.jpg?itok=jhkAeuiu)
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!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-410.jpg?itok=BiN4jwT5)
Gelatin Prism
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make prisms from gelatin. Learners then shine light through the prisms and discover what happens. This activity introduces learners to the idea of refraction.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-000-362.gif?itok=Q4Lqdv7b)
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!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-000-200.gif?itok=Jk2N7sp7)
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.
Light on Other Planets
Source Institutions
In this math-based activity, learners model the intensity of light at various distances from a light source, and understand how astronomers measure the amount of sunlight that hits our planet and othe
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-373.jpg?itok=SzeOGboP)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-756.jpg?itok=L-q0j4tI)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-529.jpg?itok=yeeFMBlZ)
Shimmering Lenses
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use Jell-O to explore lenses. Learners cut Jell-O into convex and concave lens shapes and examine how light exits each lens in a darkened room.
Triboluminescence
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover what happens when they crush wintergreen-flavored candies in a very dark room.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-746.gif?itok=obhomAhS)
Glue Stick Sunset
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore why the sky is blue. Learners model the scattering of light by the atmosphere, which creates the blue sky and red sunset, using a flashlight and clear glue sticks.
![](/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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-732.jpg?itok=h4RiziWV)
Rotating Light
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore what happens when polarized white light passes through a sugar solution.
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-962.gif?itok=evuSkard)
Amazing Albedo
Source Institutions
In this experiment, learners work in teams to investigate how the color of a surface influences its ability to reflect light and therefore heat.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-805.jpg?itok=WJwTiXH9)
CD Spectrometer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a compact disc to make a spectrometer, an instrument used to measure properties of light.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-747.gif?itok=V4erlJf9)
Give and Take
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore liquid crystals, light and temperature. Using a postcard made of temperature-sensitive liquid crystal material, learners monitor temperature changes.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-762.jpg?itok=d_AtRvWj)
Blue Sky
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners explore why the sky is blue and the sunset is red, using a simple setup comprising a transparent plastic box, water, and powdered milk.