TeacherLINK @ Utah State University

Optics - Light, Color, and Their Uses
An Educator's Guide with Activities in Science and Mathematics
This NASA educator's guide contains activities for grades K-12 in Science and Math. It has color and light activities using lenses, prisms, hidden messages, periscopes, and kaleidoscopes.
Download the units (all files are PDF):
Download the entire Optics - Light, Color, and Their Uses (98 pages - 2.5 MB) or download the sections you want below...
Introductory Materials (920 K)

Cover

Title Pages

Acknowledgments

On the Cover

NASA Projects, MSFC, Optics

Classroom Activities Listing (56 K)
Table of Contents (96 K)
National Mathematics and Science Standards (76 K)
Introduction to Light and Color (76 K)
Introduction to Mirors and Lenses (156 K)
ACTIVITIES

1 Reflection of Light With a Plane (Flat) Mirror&emdash;Trace a Star (128 K)

2 Reflection of Light With Two Plane Mirrors&emdash;Double Mirrors Placed at a 90 Degree Angle (116 K)

3 Reflection of Light With Two Plane Mirrors&emdash;Double Mirrors Placed at a Number of Angles (128 K)

4 Making a Kaleidoscope and Construction of a Large Kaleidoscope Using PVC Pipe (392 K)

5 Making a Periscope (116 K)

6 Constructing a Spectroscope (108 K)

7 Exploring Diffraction With a Spectroscope (152 K)

The Electromagnetic Spectrum (88 K)

8 Diffraction of Light by Very Small Apertures (116 K)

9 Discovering Color With a Prism and Fabrication of a Prism From Acrylic Plastic (144 K)

10 Light and Color&emdash;Color Spinners (112 K)

11 Light and Color&emdash;Filters (112 K)

12 Light and Color&emdash;Hidden Messages (108 K)

13 Simple Magnifiers (104 K)

14 Focusing Light With a Lens (176 K)

15 Building a Telescope and Diagrams of Reflector and Refractor Telescopes (152 K)

16 Building a Microscope and Construction of a Microscope&emdash;A File Folder Microscope (144 K)

17 Interference Fringes (112 K)

18 Polarization of Light (116 K)

Teachers' Resource Materials

Answer Booklet (140 K)

Glossary (104 K)

General Information for Educators and Students (196 K)

Last modified by Nathan Smith - 18 July 2002