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Showing results 1 to 20 of 22
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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.
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CD Spinner
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create a simple “top” from a CD, marble and bottle cap, and use it as a spinning platform for a variety of illusion-generating patterns.
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Bubble Tray
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use simple materials to create giant bubbles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-399.png?itok=5Is-kYcS)
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.
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Why Are Bubbles So Colorful?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore why they can see colors in bubbles and why they change.
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Why are Compact Fluorescent Bulbs More Efficient?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the relative efficiency of different bulbs, specifically incandescent vs. fluorescent.
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Stereoscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners construct a device that allows them to view 2-D images in 3-D.
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Kaleidoscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build inexpensive kaleidoscopes using transparency paper and foil (instead of mirrors).
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Eye Spy
Source Institutions
This fun activity uses simple materials such as milk cartons and mirrors to introduce the ideas of optics and visual perception.
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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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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.
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Opti-Top
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will create an optical illusion top. Learners will explore color mixing, physics and design through this activity.
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Periscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners construct a device that allows them to look over ledges or around corners.
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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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-603.jpg?itok=sOOGhJ8Q)
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.
![](/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-000-000-002-650.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-000-000-002-643.jpg?itok=sKLTLgt6)
Luminescence
Source Institutions
In this two-part activity about luminescence, learners explore the chemistry that happens inside glow sticks and other light producing reactions.
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Bubble Suspension
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners observe as soap bubbles float on a cushion of carbon dioxide gas. Learners blow bubbles into an aquarium filled with a slab of dry ice.
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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.