Elementary Science - Principles - Optics

In this MEL Academy lesson your children will:

-learn about light and optics -bend light with sugar -make you own periscope

Lesson time

11:00am   PST (San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
12:00pm   MST (Phoenix, Denver, ...)
1:00pm   CST (Chicago, Houston, ...)
2:00pm   EST (New York, Toronto, ...)
7:00pm   GMT (London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct several DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

DIY Materials

  laser pointer
  Piece of stiff card (A4 or larger) or empty cereal box
  2 x mirrors 2” x 2” (5cm x5 cm) Approx.
  glue
  masking tape
  Scissors
  2-3 small mirrors
  access to water
  sugar
  big glass bowl or an empty fish tank
  access to dark room
  bluetack
  periscope (printed from template)
  protractor (printed from template)
  sharpie
  paper

Templates

Please, download, print and cut out this paper periscope paper model in advance.

Please, download, print and cut out this paper protractor paper model in advance.

Worksheet

Please, download and print this worksheet in advance. You’ll need to refer to it during the lesson.

Tutor

This lesson is presented by Mark Maclaine:

Mark Maclaine

Mark has been an educator for 20 years and has taught more than 20,000 hours of one-on-one lessons to over 1200 students. He initially struggled in school as the academic study didn’t come naturally to him. What was a weakness has become one of his greatest strengths - finding he is able to connect with students who are themselves struggling. Using a set of skills developed over the past two decades and his RELATE Teaching Method, Mark has become one of the best-known educators in the world. He is passionate about his work and is committed to transforming the education system so it works for everyone.