Magnify It!

Integrate math (measuring) and science (light/optics) by experimenting with a magnifying glass from Science Buddies! First, kids create a ruler out of masking tape. They use the tape ruler to measure their magnified object (see image above). Kids hold the magnifying glass or prop it at different heights from the table using a standard ruler. They write down the height of their hand / the magnifying glass. For example, the magnifying glass was held 10 inches from the table. They place an object near their masking tape ruler and put the magnifying glass over it. Make sure you hold the magnifying glass at the height you recorded. Kids use their tape ruler to measure the object. Then, they write down the measurement of the object next to the height measurement. How does an object's size (appear to) change at different optical distances in comparison to its actual size?! Check out the full activity here!

Cubes and Color

How does color affect how fast an ice cube will melt?! Investigate the heat absorbing capacity of different colors by placing ice cubes on various colors of construction paper (make sure you include black and white). Do certain colors reflect or absorb more light? Lay the paper and cubes in a super sunny spot. Then, make a prediction, create a list of what cubes you think will melt the fastest. Have kids write the color names in a column, starting with the color they think will make the ice cube melt the fastest and ending with the color they think will melt the ice cube the slowest. Create a graph of the kids' predictions. 

Green Planet suggests a twist on the experiment. Kids test colored cubes on white paper. They use food coloring to create different colors. For a white cube they add milk. To create a black cube they add cola. They place one colored cube on each piece of white paper. Which cube will melt the fastest?!

Light Beams and Shadows

Measuring Light Distance
1. Beam of Light - How far does your flashlight beam shine? Kids practice measuring, while learning about reflection and refraction. Visit Net Places for this fun activity from The Everything Kids' Easy Science Experiments Book.

2. Light Travel - Does light always travel in a straight line? Check out Learning Ideas K-8's experiment with hole punched index cards!

Measuring Shadows
1. Object Position - Turn off the lights and investigate how shadows change when objects (such as your hand) are held close to and far from a flashlight. Measure the shadows. How much was the difference in size? - Peep and the Big Wide World

2. Light Position - Set an object on a table. Try shining the flashlight above, in front of, and on different sides of your object. Before you shine the light, can you make a prediction about where the shadow will land? Have a friend trace your shadows. Measure the shadows. What position did you hold your flashlight to get the longest shadow? What about the widest shadow? - Peep and the Big Wide World. Visit Froggy Friends Fun for a free printable to go along with this activity.

Engineering / Electricity Project: Build a Flashlight! 
How far does your flashlight beam shine in comparison to a store bought flashlight? Build a flashlight and measure!
1. Soda Can Flashlight - Instructables
2. TP Roll Flashlight - Energizer

Nail Polish Science / Art

art via sci-toys

Experiment with light and optics by creating a permanent rainbow using clear nail polish! Visit Simon Quellen Field's site Sci-Toys for instructions!

Bubble Observation

bubble on a table / photo credit Chymist

Explore color and light by viewing an amazing soap bubble up close and personal with this awesome experiment from Beakman and Jax! Beakman and Jax calls the results a "gorgeous miracle!" By holding the flashlight underneath the bubble, the bubble will illuminate with squiggly lines of a variety of colors covering the entire bubble.

materials:
flashlight
clear plastic coffee can lid (or any clear lid will do)
soda straw
liquid dish soap 
water

how to: Mix 2 tbsp of soap into 1/4 cup of water. Go into a dark room (as dark as possible!). Stand the flashlight pointed upwards. Place the lid upside down on top of the flashlight. Pour enough solution to cover the bottom of the lid. You should have soap solution leftover. Wet the straw into the extra solution. Turn the flashlight on. Then, blow one large bubble on the lid with your straw. Be prepared to be AMAZED! Visit Exploratorium for the scientific explanation.

Visit Chymist (featured above) for a full list of bubble activities, including: bubble basketball, unbreakable bubbles, catching bubbles, bouncing bubbles, put a friend inside of a bubble, blow a bubble inside of a bubble, color fringes in a bubble, tabletop bubbles for measuring, and dry ice bubble experiments (including rainbow dry ice bubbles)!

More Bubble Fun - Bubble Geometry

Periscope

Periscope - (def.) "tubular optical instrument that contains reflecting elements, such as mirrors and prisms, to permit observation from a position displaced from a direct line of sight." 

1. Create a periscope out of PVC Pipe! Dive under water and check out what's happening above the water line using your viewer. You can also hide behind the couch in your living room and investigate!

2. Construct a simple periscope out of a milk carton for detective work.

3. Check out Make It Awesome's cardboard periscope tutorial here for super spy vision!

Make a Rainbow

Andy Brain made a rainbow by using a coffee pot, flashlight, and a dark room! Click here to see how he did it! For more rainbow science click here! You can make a rainbow with a garden hose, compact disc, or a drinking glass. The easiest way to make a rainbow is with a prism, if you have one.

Is a Shadow Always Black?

Reggio Kids taught kids the difference between transparent and opaque. They showed them how translucent objects can cast colorful shadows. While the shadow of an opaque object is always black. 

Colorful Ice Sculpture Science

photo credit: art and creativity

Create colorful ice sculptures and see the science of mixing salt with ice! Art and Creativity shows how kids can make works of ice art by simply dropping liquid watercolor mixed with salt onto a chunk of ice! Science: Salt creates tunnels in the ice because it lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt. The colors make the tunnels pop, so we can see them better.

Also, check out We are Teachers to see how you can conduct this experiment with a large group of children!