Science Demonstration

This demonstration showed students how light waves are bent when moving through two different clear substances (in this case: air and water). A penny was placed beneath a clear glass that was filled with water. When the top of the glass was covered by a small plate, the penny's image disappears. This is due to the bent light waves projecting the image to the top of the water instead of the bottom.

Context:This science demonstration was created for science education GS 4401 under the advisement of Jeff Goodman during Block II in the fall of 2007.

Impact:This project can be used to spark student interest at the beginning of a science lesson on light.

Alignment:Standard 3 Indicator 2: Teachers have knowledge of basic physical science concepts including: Waves and optics (light, heat, and sound). This standard was met because students were introduced to the properties of light through looking at how the light waves are bent when moving from two different clear substances (air and water), therefore projecting the image of the penny elsewhere.

Standard 15 Indicator 1:Teachers use a variety of strategies to encourage underrepresented groups to engage in the schooling process, especially math and science. This standard was met because this science demonstration was performed for a diverse group of children, of various ages, in an afterschool program at Appalachian State University. The diversity of the children pertained to the variety of races (including African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian) as well as the variety of ages and learning levels present. The group was comprised of a mixture of both males and females.