Introduction to Light: An Illuminating Day!

Students were very busy this week exploring the nature of light. They studied reflection, transmission, and absorption of light, the differences between transparent, translucent, and opaque objects, and the spectrum produced by white light. Students then saw colors seem to disappear when viewed through color filters. Ask them how!

We recommend: “Light and Color – Hidden Messages” from Nasa.gov for an Extension activity after our visit. (https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/350520main_Optics_Hidden_Messages.pdf)

Additional Information:

Not all white light is the same! To examine the different light spectra produced by different light sources (incandescent vs. fluorescent bulbs, LEDs, and sunlight) make a spectrometer at home using this link: http://orbitingfrog.com/2008/07/02/make-your-own-spectrometer/ Two notes: 1) For safety, use folded aluminum foil instead of razor blades for the slit; 2) It’s helpful to score the CD with a blade (a job for parents) before breaking it, and to cover it with a towel while you snap it, to keep pieces from scattering. Once broken, the CD pieces are easy to trim with a scissors.

Introducción a la luz: un día “iluminado”

Los estudiantes estuvieron muy ocupados esta semana explorando la naturaleza de la luz. Estudiaron la reflexión, la transmisión y la absorción de la luz, las diferencias entre los objetos transparentes, translúcidos y opacos, y el espectro producido por la luz blanca. Los estudiantes luego vieron que los colores parecen desaparecer cuando se ven a través de filtros de color. ¡Pregúntales cómo!

Información adicional:

Para examinar los diferentes espectros de luz producidos por distintas fuentes de luz (incandescente vs fluorescente vs LED y luz solar), haga un espectrómetro en su casa siguiendo las indicaciones que aparecen en este link: http://orbitingfrog.com/2008/07/02/make-your-own-spectrometer/ Notas: 1) Por seguridad use papel de aluminio en vez de cuchillas de afeitar para la rendija, 2) es útil marcar el CD con una cuchilla (tarea para los padres) antes de romperlo, además de cubrirlo con una toalla mientras lo rompe para evitar que las piezas se dispersen. Una vez roto, las piezas son fáciles de recortar con una tijera.

Does your child enjoy our visits? Please consider supporting our program so we can reach more students!
Author

Lauren Koppel

Lauren earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major of Biology and Psychology from Clark University, and a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During her undergraduate years, she worked in a evolutionary neurobiology lab that studied the neural development of annelids (marine worms), with a focus on the sox family of genes. Lauren loves learning about how the world works (including everything from biology to chemistry to engineering), and is passionate about sharing that knowledge and enthusiasm with others. In the past, she has interned at the Museum of Science, where she educated learners of all ages through hands-on activities, games, and experiments. Other science education organizations with which Lauren has worked include The People’s Science, EurekaFest, and Eureka! of Girls Inc. of Worcester. Currently she lives in Boston, where devotes her free time to playing Quidditch, reading sci-fi novels, playing her ukulele, and enjoying all the culinary delights the city has to offer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories
Open 7 days INFO
Our Young Pre classroom is for ages. This age group is working
BELL SCHEDULE