How Can We Light Our Way In The Dark?
How Can We Light Our Way in the Dark? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of grade 1 physical science, life science, and engineering standards. In this module, students:
- Investigate interactions between a beam of light and transparent, translucent, and opaque materials, including the formation of shadows and reflection of light
- Identify cause-and-effect relationships as they explain their observations
- Obtain information about animal structures that use light to help the animal survive
- Obtain information about the parts of lighthouses that make the buildings stable and send signals to protect humans
- Design stable solutions to visibility problems, including biomimicry in the design
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
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Before starting How Can We Light Our Way in the Dark?, share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Light Up the Cave
https://ssec.si.edu/light-up-the-cave/
The Light Up the Cave simulation is available as a website for computers. Download the application for use on tablets or mobile devices.
This simulation gives students an opportunity to investigate light sources in a dark environment.
Gemstone Investigation
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This file is used to guide student investigations.
Flashlight
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This file is displayed to guide students in planning and carrying out their investigations.
Shadow Investigation
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This file is displayed to guide students while carrying out their investigations.
Classroom Treasure Hunt
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This file depicting a classroom scene is used in an Extension.
Reflection Flash (0:28)
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This video provides a lesson-specific phenomenon to prompt student discussion. One clip shows reflections of sunlight off decorated CD-ROM disks. One clip shows reflections of sunlight off moving water.
Classroom
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This classroom illustration is used to guide student explanations.
Flashlight Tag
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This flashlight tag game illustration is used in an Extension.
Ada Asks Introduction (02:25 )
Ada introduces students to two problems that will prompt discussion about what makes a situation a problem. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Suggested pauses:
Which objects do you think will help me find something in the dark cave? (0:30)
Have you ever been in a cave? It is completely dark deep in this cave. Can you explain to me why that happens? (1:19)
On a Boat (0:43)
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This video gives students an idea of what it is like to be in a boat out on open water and near a coastline.
Defining Problems
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This file is used to guide student discussions.
Solution Ideas
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This file is used to guide student discussions.
Lighthouse in Action (0:30)
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This video provides students with a visual of a lighthouse in operation.
Daymarks
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These are line drawings of lighthouses for use in the Daymarks extension.
Lighthouse Map
https://bit.ly/2uKM6vf
A StoryMap with information about the lighthouses pictured in Shining the Light, for use in the Where Are the Lights? extension.
Ada Asks Science Challenge (02:10 )
Ada introduces students to the science challenge. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Suggested pauses:
What would you do? (1:19)
