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Showing results 21 to 40 of 93
Polarized Light
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners experiment with polarizers (small dark rectangles) to examine light intensity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-675.jpg?itok=PQKJLff5)
Hole in Your Hand
Source Institutions
Create an illusion where it appears that your hand has a hole in it. You'll see the results from when one eye gets conflicting information.
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.
The Bent Pencil
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners explore how light bends and affects what we see.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-587.png?itok=MIgw6sRf)
Why are Compact Fluorescent Bulbs More Efficient?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the relative efficiency of different bulbs, specifically incandescent vs. fluorescent.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-537.jpg?itok=zffVb373)
Beam Me Up!
Source Institutions
This is a quick activity (on page 2 of the PDF under Stained Glass Activity) about the "Tyndall effect," the scattering of visible light when it hits very small dispersed particles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-344.gif?itok=lW3zoeqZ)
The Blind Spot
Source Institutions
In this activity (1st on the page), learners find their blind spot--the area on the retina without receptors that respond to light.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-261.jpg?itok=K8ieKQmZ)
Kaleidoscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build inexpensive kaleidoscopes using transparency paper and foil (instead of mirrors).
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-581.jpg?itok=VxkAzCkQ)
Vanishing Rods
Source Institutions
This is a quick activity/demonstration that introduces learners to the concept of index of refraction. Learners place stirring rods in a jar of water and notice they can see them clearly.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-005-099.jpg?itok=xHHXLG38)
Glow in the Dark Jello
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will make homemade jello that glows under a blacklight. They will learn about quinine, an ingredient in tonic water that is fluorescent.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-542.png?itok=6-1rLCgr)
Make a Light Fountain
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners make a "light fountain" from a clear plastic bottle, flashlight, and other simple materials.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-738.jpg?itok=KOXGtqtr)
Exploring the Universe: Filtered Light
Source Institutions
"Exploring the Universe: Filtered Light" demonstrates how scientists can use telescopes and other tools to capture and filter different energies of light to study the universe.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-738.jpg?itok=2eFvh4qd)
Parabolas: It's All Done with Mirrors
Source Institutions
In this activity about light and reflection, learners use a special device called a Mirage Maker™ to create an illusion.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-980.gif?itok=QhwNR0tv)
See the Light
Source Institutions
In this three-part activity, learners conduct simple experiments to see how light refracts and reflects, and how colors of light affect what we see.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-670.gif?itok=7RdzPHct)
Diffraction
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, demonstrate diffraction using a candle or a small bright flashlight bulb and a slide made with two pencils.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-116.jpg?itok=pjKZJLKD)
Spectroscope
Source Institutions
In this activity (posted on March 12, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a spectroscope, a tool used to analyze light and color.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-386.jpg?itok=2y25OBEk)
See the World Through Color-Filtering Lenses
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners examine how colored lenses act like filters and absorb all colors of light except for the color of the lenses.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-115.jpg?itok=TbgS2uc2)
Camera Projector
Source Institutions
In this activity (posted on March 14, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a camera projector to explore lenses and refraction.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-615.jpg?itok=zAbj8Au6)
Why is the Sky Blue?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a flashlight, a glass of water, and some milk to examine why the sky is blue and sunsets are red.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-604.jpg?itok=9U5w_qhd)
Night Lights
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create night lights using a plastic cup, programmable PICO Cricket, tri-color LED, and sensor.