Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers from Coursera

This is an Exploratorium teacher professional development course taught by Teacher Institute staff, open to any science teacher (particularly middle or high school level) and science enthusiast. This is a hands-on workshop that explores topics and strategies teachers can use to help their students become active investigators of light.

Watch a preview video (copy and paste this link into your browser): https://youtu.be/fPvT_quBVIw

There are four weeks of course content, which require 2-4 hours per week. Each module builds upon the previous one, so we strongly suggest you follow the sequence we've outlined rather than skip ahead or do the course in less time. The course is designed to give you an opportunity to learn and share with others, not test what you know. There are weekly activity and reflection assignments, but these will not be graded. To receive credit for this course, you will need to complete the peer-reviewed final assignment.

As a participant, you will:

- Watch videos that demonstrate natural phenomena and the Exploratorium's approach to teaching and learning

- Conduct personal investigations by engaging in hands-on activities based in those phenomena

- Reflect and share your experience doing activities

- Discuss and identify challenges and opportunities for teaching

- Devise a lesson of your own based on one or more of the activities

Each week, we'll look at a different light-related topic: We will start by examining human visual perception, then take a brief historical tour of our evolving scientific understanding. We’ll also look at optics and optical instruments and finish by looking at the wave nature of light.

To get the most out of this experience, you'll have to try out some activities! In return, you'll get lots of valuable teaching resources, an in-depth understanding of the subject matter, and useful tips and techniques for the classroom.

NOTE: This is a hands-on workshop, so you will need to buy or find materials. All of the materials required are inexpensive and should be easy to obtain, and we welcome substitutions! A separate list of materials is available for each activity.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Exploring Light

Welcome to our course! This is a hands-on workshop designed for middle-school and high-school teachers and other people interested in teaching and learning about light. In this first week, we'll introduce you to our pedagogy at the Exploratorium Teacher Institute, which is about supporting educators to incorporate the hands-on, inquiry-based experiences of our museum into classrooms.

We'll demonstrate exhibits and teach you how to do activities (which we call "Science Snacks") that explore and investigate natural phenomena, and you will need to gather your own materials to do experiments on your own. We hope you will share teaching tips and facilitation strategies with each other as well.

We recommend you look through the materials below and follow the suggested course deadlines to get the most out of this experience. We also suggest you browse the discussion forums we've set up. To help you get started and find out who's in this course, please take a moment to introduce yourself in the forum. Please also fill out our pre-course survey, thanks!

Week One: Perception

We don't just see with our eyes; our brain plays a big role in determining what we see. A huge percentage of the human brain is devoted to processing visual information, but we still can't make sense of everything going on around us, so we rely on certain "shortcuts" or tricks. In other words, your brain makes things up!

This week, we're going to explore a few interesting visual shortcuts and some of the technologies that have been invented to take advantage of them.

Your assignment is to watch the videos below, try some activities at home, and share your experience in the discussion forums.

Collect data about your peripheral vision and compare with your classmates
Show off your afterimage designs for Bird in a Cage
Take pictures of your experiments with Colored Shadows

We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Week Two: History of Our Ideas About Light

A historical timeline approach to studying light illustrates the importance of models to the advancement of science. Scientific models of light have changed over the years as more and better experiments were done. At the same time, an important skill as a teacher is choosing the simplest model to help a student towards understanding.This week, we'll revisit some famous experiments and different models of light to advance our own understanding.

We'd like you to start off by reading the introductory essay below. Then, watch the video demonstrations and try some activities on your own. This week, we'd also like you to pick an activity or two to share with someone else.

Don't forget to post photos, videos and comments in the discussion forum to share with your fellow students.

Week Three: Optics and Image Making

This week, we're exploring optics and how to make images with light. In addition to our exhibit and activity demonstrations, you'll learn how to put activities together into a lesson that helps students develop and test a mental model of how the world works. We want you to do this lesson as a learner and then reflect and discuss with your peers in the forum.

The lesson is designed as a series of experiments, each one giving you a piece of information that lets you make a mental model. You'll be presented with several scenarios, asked to make a prediction (it's VERY important that you stop and do this at each stage of the video), and then we'll reveal what happens. You'll have an opportunity to revise and adjust your model at each stage.

For those of you taking this course for credit, we recommend you begin working on your peer-reviewed assignment. If you want some feedback before you submit your assignment, we suggest you post questions and drafts of your lesson plan in the forum.

Week Four: The Wave Nature of Light

What is light? Sometimes we model it as a wave, sometimes as a particle. Light is light. Nevertheless, the wave properties of light lend themselves towards a rich array of experiments that help further our understanding.

This is the final week of content for our course. Please continue to do activities this week, but also take a few moments to share what you learned, and any suggestions you have for us.

If you are taking the course for a grade, please submit your final assignment and complete the required peer reviews before the deadline.

We hope you have enjoyed this experience and that you'll come check out our museum in San Francisco!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Hands-on workshop designed for middle and high school teachers and other people interested in teaching and learning about light

Explores a range of light-related topics, including human visual perception, the history of our evolving scientific understanding of light, optics and optical instruments, and the wave nature of light

Provides opportunities for participants to engage in hands-on activities, reflect on their experiences, and share ideas with others

Participants will develop a lesson plan based on one or more of the activities covered in the course

Taught by Zeke Kossover, Paul Doherty, and Eric Muller, experienced educators from the Exploratorium Teacher Institute

Participants are expected to purchase or find materials for the hands-on activities

Reviews summary

Engaging physics course

Learners say Exploring Light has engaging assignments and hands-on demonstrations. Its activities make it enjoyable to learn physics.

Students find the course engaging and enjoyable.

"great!! very enjoyable to learn"

"Wonderful course. I had a great experience. It was fun too."

"Interesting course. I've learned so much!"

Interactive learning through hands-on activities.

"Incredible material"

"lots of hands-on demonstrations"

"hands-on methodological point of view"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers with these activities:

Watch videos on optics and light

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Watching videos will help you learn about the basic concepts of optics and light in a fun and engaging way.

Browse courses on Optics

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Find videos on optics and light online.
Set aside time each week to watch videos.
Take notes and ask questions as you watch the videos.

Read 'Fundamentals of Optics' by Jenkins and White

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Reading this book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts of optics.

View Fundamentals of Optics 1957 [Leather Bound] on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Set aside time each week to read the book.
Take notes and ask questions as you read the book.

Join a study group or discussion forum on optics

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Joining a study group or discussion forum will allow you to connect with other students and learn from their perspectives.

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Find a study group or discussion forum on optics.
Join the group and introduce yourself.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Solve optics problems

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Completing practice problems will improve your problem-solving skills and increase your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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Find practice problems online or in a textbook.
Set aside time each week to work on practice problems.
Review your solutions and identify any areas where you need additional practice.

Build a periscope

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Building a periscope will help you apply your knowledge of optics and gain a deeper understanding of how light travels.

Browse courses on Optics

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Gather the necessary materials.
Follow the instructions to build the periscope.
Test the periscope and make adjustments as needed.

Attend a workshop on optics

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Attending a workshop will give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain hands-on experience with optics equipment.

Browse courses on Optics

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Find a workshop on optics that fits your schedule.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Design an experiment to demonstrate the wave nature of light

Show steps

Designing an experiment will help you develop your critical thinking skills and deepen your understanding of the wave nature of light.

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Brainstorm ideas for an experiment.
Develop a hypothesis.
Design the experiment.
Conduct the experiment.
Analyze the results.

Enter a science fair or competition related to optics

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Participating in a science fair or competition will challenge you to apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Optics

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Find a science fair or competition that is related to optics.
Develop a project that demonstrates your understanding of optics.
Enter your project in the science fair or competition.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Physics Teacher

In your role as a Physics Teacher, you will help students understand the fundamentals of the universe, including light. This course will help to supplement your knowledge about light. You will learn about the latest scientific models of light as well as how to use hands-on activities to teach students about physics. You help build a strong foundation in physics, which includes a solid understanding of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physics Teacher

Science Teacher

As a Science Teacher, you are likely to plan and lead lessons that teach students about science. You will need expertise about what activities and demonstrations help students to learn about scientific concepts. This course builds off of the pedagogy of the Exploratorium, a very hands-on and activity-driven museum. By understanding the Exploratorium's methodologies, students can learn how to be active discoverers of science. Those who wish to teach science will benefit from these unique strategies of teaching about light and its properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Optometrist

Optometrists are responsible for examining eyes and vision systems. They help people to improve their vision with corrective lenses. Because you examine the eyes, you will need to understand the nature of light in order to perform your job functions. This course has an entire week dedicated to the study of the wave nature of light. Understanding the behavior of light will help to make you a better Optometrist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optometrist

Optical Engineer

Optical Engineers use lasers, cameras, sensors, and other devices that manipulate light. Because you will be designing new and innovative optical systems, you need strong knowledge about the properties of light. This course may provide you with supplementary knowledge about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Engineer

Astronomer

Astronomers are scientists who use telescopes to study planets, stars, and galaxies. They help us understand the universe and our place in it. To become an astronomer, you must understand the properties of light, which is the medium that carries information about celestial objects. This course will help you to build a strong foundation in light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronomer

Physicist

Physicists study the fundamental laws of nature. They use their knowledge to develop new technologies and to understand the universe. If you wish to study the fundamental laws of nature, you must understand the nature of light. This course will help to build a strong foundation for you to become an effective physicist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physicist

Laser Technician

Laser Technicians set up, maintain, and operate lasers. They use lasers to cut, weld, and engrave materials. You will need to have a basic understanding of the properties of light in order to be an effective laser technician. This course can help to provide you with that understanding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laser Technician

Science Writer

Science Writers strive to interpret and explain complex scientific concepts for general audiences. They write articles, books, and other materials for the public. To write effectively about science, you must have a solid foundation in the fundamentals of science. This course helps to build a foundation in the nature of light as well as how to conduct science experiments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Photographer

Photographers use light to create images. They use cameras to capture scenes and moments. To be an effective photographer, you must understand the properties of light and how to use it to your advantage. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Science Museum Educator

Science Museum Educators use hands-on activities to teach about science. They help visitors to learn about the world around them in a fun and engaging way. Because you help people learn about science, you must have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of science. This course helps to build a foundation in the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Museum Educator

Optician

Opticians dispense glasses and contacts to people who need them. They help people to see better. To be an effective optician, you must have a basic understanding of the properties of light. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optician

Lighting Designer

Lighting Designers create lighting plans for concerts, plays, and other events. They use light to create the desired atmosphere and mood. To be an effective lighting designer, you must have a basic understanding of the properties of light. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Designer

Pilot

Pilots fly airplanes and other aircraft. They transport people and cargo to different destinations. To be an effective pilot, you must have a basic understanding of the properties of light. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pilot

Safety Engineer

Safety Engineers ensure that workplaces are safe for workers. They identify and assess hazards and develop plans to prevent accidents. To be an effective safety engineer, you must have a basic understanding of the properties of light. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Safety Engineer

Firefighter

Firefighters put out fires and rescue people from burning buildings. They also help to prevent fires from happening. To be an effective firefighter, you must have a basic understanding of the properties of light. This course may be useful for you to learn more about the nature of light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Firefighter