This properties of light lab engages students in hands-on explorations of light waves through mini experiments and data analysis!
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In this activity, students will:
- Visit 6 stations in pairs or groups.
- At each station, students will conduct a mini-investigation into a topic related to light. First, they will read a quick “background information” section. Then, students will follow simple step-by-step directions to observe wave properties. The steps are VERY CLEAR and easy to follow.
- Students will collect and analyze data from their mini-experiments and answer follow-up analysis questions.
This resource includes:
- 6 Station Cards: Each station card has background information and very clear instructions for the mini experiment. Students do not write on the station cards. (You’ll need to make one copy of the station card – one copy for each station.)
- Student Answer Sheet: The student sheet contains pre-made data tables and analysis questions for every station. Students put all of their answers on the student sheet.
Light Waves Topics Explored (At the Middle School Level!):
- Relationship between wavelength and frequency
- Polarization of light
- Reflection and mirror angles
- Laser light properties
- Refraction and bending of light
- Color mixing and filtering
- Light dispersion through prisms
- Visible spectrum and light properties
Materials List:*
- Polarized sunglasses (Dollar Store often has them for cheap)
- Flashlights
- Mirrors with flat/square edges (Makeup section of Wal Mart/CVS/Dollar Store)
- Masking tape
- Protractor
- Laser pointer
- Empty glass containers or beakers
- Milk
- Cooking oil
- Small bowl
- Clear plastic straw
- Color paddles or colored cellophane
- Glass prism
- Small piece of cardboard
*Please note that if some of these supplies are not available to you, you can definitely leave out a station or two and still give your students a nice experience with light waves.
Teacher Notes:
- NGSS Content Standards: NGSS MS-PS4-1
- Includes comprehensive answer keys for all questions!
- Please note that this light lab is not editable.
- You can also shop my TPT store!
- Get every lesson you need to teach waves in my COMPLETE WAVES UNIT!
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-PS4-1: Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.
- NGSS MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
