Describes the construction and use of a spectroscope using a compact disk as a reflection grating. Lists instructions for viewing emission spectra of white or fluorescent light sources or discharge tubes, and absorption spectra of colored solutions. Includes modified directions and expanded activities. Contains 16 references. (WRM)

Uses aquarium and computer mirages to explain natural mirages caused by severe temperature inversions and appropriate topography. (WRM)

Describes two ways of making photograms-silhouette-like images using light sensitive paper. One activity calls for regular photographic paper and processing, and the other uses special "sun print" paper that processes in plain water. (WRM)

Explains the mechanism of a lava lamp and gives directions for building one using isopropyl alcohol. Provides hints for a laboratory activity and includes questions and answers. (YDS)

Studied the ideas of 5-year olds regarding the concept of light, using individual interviews. Found that children identify light with its source or its effect rather than as a distinct entity, a representation at odds with the scientific concept of light. (Author/JPB)

Describes nine basic experiments that demonstrate the wave nature of light and the optical properties of water. Finds that a laser pointer works well as a light source in the laboratory. (CCM)

Discusses introductory polarized light measurements in which a diode laser pointer replaces the more frequently used polarized helium-neon laser. (WRM)

Describes an exercise in which students can use flashlights, mirrors, and colored paper to discover scientific principles regarding optics. Addresses the concepts of angles of incidence and reflection, colored vs. white light, and mirror images. (WRM)

Presents two components of a piece of experimental equipment, the optical training ground and the electrical panel, which can be used to construct and test different electrical circuits and study laws of electricity, experimental problem solving, and basic light phenomena. (YDS)

The history of science shows that for each scientific issue there may be more than one models that are simultaneously accepted by the scientific community. One such case concerns the wave and corpuscular models of light. Newton claimed that he had proved some properties of light based on a set of minimal assumptions, without any commitments to any…

With new and inexpensive computer-based methods, measuring the speed of light and the Earth's radius--historically difficult endeavors--can be simple enough to be tackled by high school and college students working in labs that have limited budgets. In this article, the author describes two methods of estimating the Earth's radius using two…

Teaching physical science in the elementary and middle grades can be challenging for busy teachers faced with growing science demands and limited classroom resources. Robert Prigo provides fun and engaging activities using safe, available materials that educators can easily incorporate into lesson plans. Extensive examples, sample inquiry…

This guide for adults provides directions for setting up activities to help children ages two to eight discover scientific facts using familiar materials. The activities are child centered and are presented from a constructivist perspective which acknowledges that children and adults need to form their own hypotheses and keep applying them through…

The primary purpose of this book is to help teachers develop new insight into the learner's experience of science learning in school settings. The book focuses on the personal experience of the learner, taking the position that learning must be understood not only as a cognitive experience but also as an emotional, personal, social, and cultural…

This book is written for people who tend to sit toward the back of the classroom during scientific lectures. It assumes that students remember nothing of what happened in their science classes. The book is divided into seven sections: (1) Magnetism; (2) Bending Light Waves; (3) Bacterial Stories; (4) Light Wave Craziness; (5) Homemade Science; (6)…