This WebQuest was created for the students at Escuela Mill Creek School in grade 4.
Introduction
The Alberta government wants to remove the Light and Shadows unit from the program of studies. You have been hired to learn and convince Alberta Education that this unit is important for kids to learn about in grade 4.
Learn as much as you can, record your research as detailed as possible in your workbook, and be prepared to write a persuasive letter to the government officials at the end.
Put on your protective sun goggles, and may the Sun be with you!
Here are the "I Can" Statements for this unit:
- I can recognize that eyes can be damaged by bright lights and that one should not look at the Sun- either directly or with binoculars or telescopes.
- I can recognize that light can be bent(refracted) and that objects such as aquaria, prisms and lenses can be used to show that light beams can be bent.
- I can recognize that light can be broken into colours and that different colours of light can be combined to form a new colour.
- I can describe changes in the size and location of Sun shadows during the day-early morning, to midday, to late afternoon.
- I can demonstrate that light travels outward from a source and continues unless blocked by an opaque material.
- I can classify materials as transparent, partly transparent (translucent), or opaque.
- I can distinguish transparent materials from opaque materials by determining if light passes through them and examining their shadows.
- I can identify a wide range of sources of light, including the Sun, various forms of electric light, flames, and materials that glow(luminescent materials)
- I can distinguish objects that emit their own light from those that require an external source of light in order to be seen.
- I can recognize that light can be reflected and that shiny surfaces, such as polished metals and mirrors are good reflectors.
- Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of optical devices, describe how they are used, and describe their general structure.
Task
Your task is to complete the workbook given to you by your teacher. You must complete every question and activity in the workbook to get full marks on your workbook.
Task 1: “The Science of Light” Video
Watch this video to complete this task:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iletCKDCt_0
Task 2: Light Safety
Light safety is very important! You can easily damage your eyes with bright lights. Find out more about sun and light safety, so we can teach our provincial leaders something new.
Visit the following National Geographic website:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/11/131102-solar-eclipse-safe-viewing-science-sun-space/
Task 3: How to make a pinhole camera
Ok scientist - get ready to make your own pinhole camera! You will need to work with a partner for this part.
Watch this video on how to make a pinhole camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGCYu7RMZLo
Task 4: Sources of light
Where does light come from? Can we make light? In this task you will explore to find the answers to these questions!
Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifAVp0VqN70
Task 5: Bioluminescence
You have now learned about natural forms of light and artificial forms of light. Let’s further investigate something called ‘bioluminescence’. Watch the following video to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKjFVBVGad0
Task 6: How does light travel?
Let’s now find out how light travels. You will need to watch a short clip for the next question.
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/lsps07.sci.phys.energy.lighttravel/how-light-travels/
Task 7: Shadows
Visit the following website for the next questions:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/shadows/read/1/
When you are done answering these questions, check out these two games:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/shadows/play/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/light_shadows.shtml
Task 8: The Sun’s Shadows
Ok Scientists, you will need to visit the following website.
http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/astro/esm/shadows
Task 9: Light can be reflected
Begin by watching this quick video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxsI0Av5624
Next, watch this video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81u7MGF7ev4
After, visit the following website to answer some questions: http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/36.asp
When you are finished play this game: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/see_things_fs.shtml
Task 10: Light Refraction
Visit the following website:
http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/36.asp
Task 11: White Light
Let’s learn about white light and how we see colours!
Task 12: Primary Colours of Light
Watch the following clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksS-FJ3B8Og
When you are finished, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf33ueRXMzQ
Task 13: Writing your persuasive letter
Your final task is to use all of your new-found knowledge about light to write a letter to our provincial government officials explaining why learning about light is important. Remember to use your 5-sentence paragraph format. You will need to provide at least 3 reasons. You must include information you have learned during your research.
To create your letter, open your Google Docs, create a 'document', and share it with your teacher when you are done.
Evaluation
Please hand in your workbook to your teacher. Also, make sure you have 'shared' your persuasive letter with your teacher.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed your research on 'Lights and Shadows' and your letter is on its way to Alberta's government officials. We will be in touch with you soon to participate in another exciting research opportunity!