LESSON 1 – MIX IT UP

Students will develop an understanding that the color we see is a particular color of light reflected from an object. This activity will also introduce the concept that white light is a combination of other colors. Student assignments are:

1. Colors and Light is a journal assignment to start your students thinking about light. It will also reveal your students’ ideas about light.
2. Exploration with Colored Light and Colored Paper: Predictions Students make predictions about different experiments with colored light and colored paper based upon the ideas they hold before they begin their explorations.
3. Exploration with Colored Light and Colored Paper: Data The students use the Data sheet to record the results of the experiments with colored light and colored paper.
4. Making Conclusions Students answer questions that lead them to make conclusions about light and color.
5. Prediction Reflection (Appendix) After the exploration is completed and you have discussed the data and conclusions, assign the Prediction Reflection. This will help them to be more aware of their thought process.
6. Inquiry Reflection – Mix It Up This reflection is designed to focus the attention of your students on the process and elements of inquiry.

LESSON 2 – PRISMS AND RAINBOWS
In this lesson students will develop the understanding that “white” light from the Sun and “white” light from an artificial light source is a full range of colors from red to violet. Students will also learn how droplets of water function as prisms to separate this full range of colors into rainbows. Student assignments are:

1. Rainbows is a journal assignment to be done in class. The purpose of the assignment is to explore the student’s previous knowledge about spectra and rainbows and to engage them in the exploration.
2. Exploration with Prism and Light is a two-part lab investigation. Part 1 investigates the light from a light bulb and Part 2 uses light directly from the Sun.
3. Making Conclusions should be completed immediately after the students complete Exploration with Prism and Light. The students can be working on this short-essay format conclusion outside of class while they are proceeding to the next exploration.
4. Exploring Rainbows is a computer-based activity that develops an understanding of rainbows and how they are formed. If students do not have access to computers, you can conduct a lecture/demonstration using materials from the web site.
5. Rainbows-Revisited is a journal assignment that asks the same questions as Rainbows, the opening journal assignment of this lesson. You can treat these as pre and post assessment tools.
6. Prediction Reflection (Appendix) to compare their predictions from Rainbows with their answers to the same questions from Rainbows-Revisited or they might choose the prediction from the Exploration with Prism and Light.
7. Inquiry Reflection - Prisms and Rainbows This reflection is designed to focus the attention of your students on the process and elements of inquiry.

LESSON 3 – EXPLORING SPECTRA
Students will develop the understanding that elements emit light in a distinct spectrum that can be used to identify the elements and that this information can be used to identify the composition of complex light sources like stars. Students will expand on their understanding of the visible light spectrum. Student assignments are:

1. Student Lab Investigation investigates the properties of spectroscopes and uses spectroscopes to investigate a variety of light sources. Students will need the Spectra Data Sheet to record data.
2. Making Conclusions – Spectra asks students to interpret the data obtained in the investigation.
3. Analysis of Stars is an application and extension of the knowledge gained in the investigation.

LESSON 4 – GETTING HOTTER?
Students will discover the existence of non-visible light, infrared light, outside of the visible light spectrum and the use of infrared light in science. Students will also develop experimental techniques useful for further exploration of the light spectrum. Student assignments are:

1. How Are Parts of the Spectrum Different? is a journal assignment to engage your students in thinking about characteristics of the spectrum. Their ideas will be used in Lesson 6 to develop an inquiry of their choosing.
2. Laboratory Investigation is a formal lab to determine whether different colors in the light spectrum heat objects differently.
3. Data Sheet is used to record data.
4. Conclusions requires the student to write a thoughtful, short essay that answers the central question of the lab.
5. Prediction Reflection (Appendix) will allow the students to reflect upon the prediction they made at the beginning of the Laboratory Investigation.
6. Reading Assignment “Seeing Our World in a Different Light” at http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/
   light_lessons/our_world_different_light/
7. Inquiry Reflection– Getting Hotter This reflection is designed to focus the attention of your students on the process and elements of inquiry.

LESSON 5 - MYSTERY LIGHT
Students will develop research techniques useful for further exploration, using models developed in previous lessons. Students will design their own experiment to explore the conditions under which special beads change color. Since these beads actually change in the presence of UV light, this lesson will allow them to discover the existence of another non-visible light, ultraviolet light, outside of the visible light spectrum. Students will also learn how ultraviolet light is used in science. Peer Review is introduced as a tool to aid in experimental design. Student assignments are:

1. Students Investigation Procedure and Guide Questions is a laboratory investigation that provides the problem to be solved by the investigation and leaves the design of the investigation to the student.
2. Peer Review in the Science Classroom (Appendix) provides a process to aid the students in the development of more effective designs for inquiry.
3. Lab Report Format, Journal Article Format, and PowerPoint/Webpage/Poster Presentation (Appendix) are three different formats students can use to present the results of their investigation.
4. Prediction Reflection (Appendix) asks your students to reflect upon their process, their thinking, what went right, and what they would improve.
5. Reading Assignment “Electromagnetic Spectrum” and “How Astronomers Use the Electromagnetic Spectrum”

LESSON 6 – INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
Students will develop a question about light spectra and design their own experiment to answer the question. Peer Review is used as a tool to aid in experimental design. Student assignments are:

1. Independent Investigation is a laboratory investigation in which the students provide the problem to be solved by the investigation, design the investigation, use Peer Review to refine the design, conduct the investigation, and communicate their results.
2. Peer Review in the Science Classroom (Appendix) provides a process that aids the students in the development of more effective designs for inquiry.
3. Lab Report Format, Journal Article Format, and PowerPoint/Webpage/Poster Presentation (Appendix) are three different formats from which you can choose for students to communicate the results of their investigation.
4. Prediction Reflection (Appendix) asks your students to reflect upon their process, their thinking, what went right, and what they would improve.

APPENDIX
The Appendix contains supporting resources, including sources for materials and a bibliography.

1. Exploring Spectra – Constructing a Spectroscope provides directions for making your own spectroscope from a shoebox or paper tube.
2. A Modified Ritter Experiment: Discovering Ultraviolet Light is an alternative activity for Lesson 5 and a resource for you to see an “ideal” investigation for the discovery of UV light.
3. Prediction Reflection is an activity to help students think about how they solve problems.
4. Lab Report Format provides a structure and rubric for a traditional lab report.
5. Journal Article provides a format and rubric for a journal article presentation
6. PowerPoint©/Webpage/Poster Presentation provides a structure and scoring for a third type of student presentation of results.
7. Peer Review in the Science Classroom gives the guidelines and rationale for using peer review in inquiry science.
8. Independent Investigation provides a structure and timeline for independent inquiry
9. 5Es is a useful chart showing the 5Es of Constructivism (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate) and the types of activities representative of each E.
10. Supplies and Vendors
11. Bibliography