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
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.
Download the Family Letter PDF
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.
https://ssec.si.edu/light-up-the-cave/
Gemstone Investigation
This file is used to guide student investigations.
Download the Gemstone Investigation PDF
Flashlight
This file is displayed to guide students in planning and carrying out their investigations.
Download the Flashlight PDF
Shadow Investigation
This file is displayed to guide students while carrying out their investigations.
Download the Shadow Investigation PDF
Classroom Treasure Hunt
This file depicting a classroom scene is used in an Extension.
Download Classroom Treasure Hunt PDF
Reflection Flash (0:28)
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. One clip shows reflections of sunlight off decorated CD-ROM disks onto parked cars and a road.
Download the Reflection Flash Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Reflection Flash Video
Download the Reflection Flash Video Transcript
Classroom
This classroom illustration is used to guide student explanations.
Download the Classroom PDF
Flashlight Tag
This flashlight tag game illustration is used in an Extension.
Download the Flahslight Tag PDF
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 Ada Asks Introduction on YouTube
or Download the Ada Asks Introduction Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Introduction Video
Download the Ada Asks Introduction Video Transcript
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)
This video gives students an idea of what it is like to be in a boat out on open water and near a coastline.
Download the On a Boat Video
Download the Accessible Version of the On a Boat Video
Download the On a Boat Video Transcript
Defining Problems
This file is used to guide student discussions.
Download the Defining Problems PDF
Solution Ideas
This file is used to guide student discussions.
Download Solution Ideas PDF
Lighthouse in Action (0:30)
This video provides students with a visual of a lighthouse in operation.
Download the Lighthouse in Action Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Lighthouse in Action Video
Download the Lighthouse in Action Transcript
Daymarks
These are line drawings of lighthouses for use in the Daymarks extension.
Download the Daymarks PDF
Lighthouse Map
A StoryMap with information about the lighthouses pictured in Shining the Light, for use in the Where Are the Lights? extension.
https://bit.ly/2uKM6vf
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 Ada Asks Science Challenge YouTube
or Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video
Download the Ada Asks Science Challenge Video Transcript
Suggested pauses:
What would you do? (1:19)