Lights, Camera, and the Action of Science

Journal Article | February 2002

In this day and age, students spend much of their time glued to their television sets. This is understandable as many of today’s programs are action packed and narrative in nature, and thus attractive to students. When…

Idea Bank: "Seeing" the Light

Journal Article | August 2001

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, students begin the physics class by studying the behavior of light. In this activity, the teacher…

The Early Years: Paths of Light

Journal Article | November 2009

Exploring light is part of the National Science Education Content Standard B: Physical Science. Introduce reflection when you see children noticing their reflection in mirror or window by asking them what it means.…

Discovering Flowers in a New Light

Journal Article | December 2003

Although students may have made observations of plants and flowers, not many have looked closely at their various structures or seen the colorful designs of flowers that are only apparent when magnified. The 5E learning…

The Early Years: Shining Light on Misconceptions

Journal Article | September 2012

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue discusses investigations of light.

Lighting the Way Through Scientific Discourse

Journal Article | November 2008

This article describes a thought-provoking lesson that compares various arrangements of lamp-battery circuits to help students develop the motivation and competence to participate in scientific discourse for knowledge…

Focus on Physics: The Slowing of Light in Glass

Journal Article | March 2018

This column helps teachers build an understanding of physical principles. This month's column discusses energy transfer.

Idea Bank: Shedding Light on White

Journal Article | September 2002

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, a simple demonstration shows students the concept of mixing colored light to create white light.

Tried and True: The Science of Bending Light

Journal Article | March 2015

This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. This month’s issue uses discrepant events to learn about light refraction.

Science Shorts: Modeling Light and Shadows

Journal Article | September 2012

This column provides classic classroom activities that emphasize science process skills. This month’s issue describes a 5E lesson in which students study light and shadows through a broad range of verbal, numerical, and…