Seeing the Invisible

Abstract:

Students will be instructed to make an observation of a flower (tulip) given the one stipulation that they will only be allowed to detect the parts of the plant that are green. Through observation and discussion, students will be led to understand that only seeing parts of the flower leads to an incomplete and even inaccurate understanding of its structure.

Students will construct their own knowledge of the Sun emitting light above and below the visible spectrum by using UV beads to detect ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun, and, in a second experiment, will record the temperature readings of thermometers placed in the visible and infrared region of a spectrum produced using a prism. An optional M&M Filter Activity is included in the lesson to demonstrate how filter work.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Primary, Secondary

SubTopics:

Plants and Forests , Green Education

Collection:

NASA