Lesson Overview

Students will:

• Observe that light is what we see using the laser beam which can be seen when reflected off talcum powder
• Explore what happens when light hits an object (transmission/reflection), what white light is made of (using water and glass), and what happens when we use color filters (transmission/absorption)
  • After each section, have students explain what is happening in that exploration 
• Tie everything together by viewing different-colored objects through filters
• Learn about light refraction using a cup of water and drawn arrows

Lesson Objectives 

Students will be able to:

• Draw and explain diagrams of light interacting with objects
• Predict what colors of light are transmitted and absorbed by a colored filter

This lesson is aligned with these Next Generation Science (NGS) Standards.

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Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI)

PS4 Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer – PS4.B Electromagnetic radiation 

•  (3rd-5th) Objects can be seen when light reflected from their surface enters our eyes

Science & Engineering Practice (SEP) 

Developing and Using Models

• (3rd-5th) Develop a model using an abstract representation to describe a scientific principle

Constructing Explanations

• (3rd-5th) Use evidence (e.g., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation

Crosscutting Concept (CCC)

Energy and Matter

• (3rd-5th) Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation

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