Follow the beam: How light travels

For young kids, light is simply something that is there or is not. There is not intuitive sense that light travels since it travels so fast. This hands on STEM activity introduces elementary students to the fact that light travels in straight line and spreads out as it gets further away from the source.

Grade Range: 1 to 4

Duration: 1/2 Hour – 1 Hour

Supplies:

  • Activity sheets
  • 3 Index cards with one hole punched in the same place in each
  • A set of Light Blox (one each red, green, blue)
  • 3 binder clips
  • A plain piece of white paper
  • Mirror stand
  • A blank wall or screen

NGSS Connections

PS4-B: Electromagnetic Radiation

  • Plan and conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light. (1-PS4-3)
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Includes NGSS Standards and Student Worksheets

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