Light Web Links
Our writers recommended these independent web sites as background information and content supplements for the Light lessons.
How We See – Light & Mirror Game – Science Activities for Kids
Children experiment with light & mirrors in this fun science game for kids. They can manipulate the angles of the mirrors to see which way they reflect the light. (http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/howwesee.html)
Light and Dark
Children drag demonstrate an understanding of objects that emit light by dragging different things in the center of a room that emit light. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/light_dark.shtml)
Light and Shadows
In this interactive website, children try to make a shadow bigger. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/physical_processes/light_shadows/play.shtml)
Bob Miller’s Light Walk
Artist Bob Miller’s “Light Walk” at the Exploratorium is always an eye-opening expereience for students and teachers alike. His unique discoveries will change the way you look at light, shadow, and images. (http://www.exploratorium.edu/light_walk/)
The Light Stuff
This interactive website challenges to students to click on different household objects to see if the objects slow down the speed of light. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/speed-light.html)
Optics for Kids (The Science and Engineering Behind It)
Children can learn some fun and interesting things about optics on this website. (http://www.opticalres.com/kidoptx_f.html)
Exploring the Science of Light
This web site is devoted to everything optics! Children will find ultra cool activities combining Jell-O and laser pointers, definitions of terms like acousto-optics and retroreflection, profiles of optics celebs who are changing our world and an optics timeline stretching from prehistory to the present. Don’t forget to check out the tutorials featuring some optical illusions! (http://www.opticsforteens.org/)
Bob Miller’s Light Walk- Making a Pinhole Camera
Provides detailed instructions for how to make a pinhole camera at home with readily accessible materials.
Apollo 17- Whole Moon View
Provides downloadable pictures of the moon to use in the Further Science Exploration for Light Lesson 4 when the children consider how sunlight reflects off the moon.
Caroline Herschel
Provides information on the life of Caroline Herschel, a woman astronomer in the 18th century who developed telescopes and was the first woman to discover a comet.
NASA Optics: Light, Color, and Their Uses
This site provides an online packet of activities developed by NASA for children in grades K-12. Explores light and color in conjunction with science and mathematics. Many topics go into more depth than needed for 3rd grade, but still a good resource site for the teacher.
Science Hobbyist- Misconceptions Page
This site is a compilation of misconceptions that children have about a variety of physical science concepts, including light.
Light Tour- Discover Light’s Mysteries
This site, developed by the Center for Science Education at the Space Sciences Lab, takes you on a tour to explore wavelengths of light, types of light, how astronomers use different wavelengths, and what they see. A good resource site for the teacher, but too technical for the children.
The Woman Astronomer
This site details the accomplishments of women astronomers in the past, including Caroline Herschel and Maria Mitchell, whose discoveries advanced the science of light.
Pioneers in Optics
This site contains details information about scientists who advanced the study of light and optics. Be sure to click on the “student activities” link for a weath of activities on light and optics, including those on lenses, mirrors, shadows, microscopes, eyeglasses, and animal vision.
Animal Vision
This site provides information on animal vision, with specific exploration into birds and bats. A good site for enrichment activities for children who are curious about how animals see compared to humans.
How We See- The First Steps of Human Vision
This reference site provides the teacher with detailed information on how we see. Specific processes that occur with the eye and brain are detailed in a comprehensible way, and historical information on the understanding of vision is also integrated into the text.
Timeline of Light
Provides a detailed timeline of the historical development of our understanding of light from 3500 B.C. to 1968.
Light Links
This site, sponsored by the Annenberg/CPB Channel, provides a collection of links related to light. An excellent resource site for teachers.
Light: A Teaching Unit
Created by General Electric, this Unit deals with light from a scientific, mathematical, technological, and historical perspective. Hands-on activities and experiments are included.
Color Vision
Children can make a whole rainbow by mixing red, green, and blue light on this interactive website. (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/color-vision)