Physical Sciences
Light
Students investigate reflection, refraction and diffraction using mirrors, lenses and diffraction gratings, with laser beam demonstrations bringing the physics of light into sharp, visible focus.
Year 5–6
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Students freely explore double mirrors, convex and concave mirrors, and patterned discs to investigate reflection, then navigate a mirror maze, aiming a torch beam at a target using mirror stands. A water-filled glass and arrow card demonstrate refraction, since light moves through air faster than through water and bends as it crosses between them, while students project magnified images using a magnifying glass and white card to explore how lenses work. Diffraction grating cards and coloured filters reveal how light separates into a spectrum, and UV-reactive beads tested with a UV torch and sunglasses close the hands-on sequence. Teacher demonstrations with a laser beam illustrate the angle of reflection, concave and convex lens behaviour, phosphorescent pigment, and the direction light travels through different materials.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate how light reflects off flat, convex and concave mirrors and explain the angle of incidence and angle of reflection
- Aim and redirect a torch beam onto a target using one, two and three mirrors
- Investigate refraction using a glass of water and an arrow card, and explain that light bends when it moves between air and water
- Use a magnifying glass to project a magnified image onto a screen and explain how a convex lens focuses light
- Investigate diffraction using gratings and coloured filters, and describe how white light can be separated into a spectrum
- Investigate ultraviolet light using UV-reactive beads, and compare how effectively different sunglasses block it
Curriculum links
- VC2S6U08Core
Light from a source travels in straight lines, forms shadows, and can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected or refracted. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S6I03Core
Equipment can be used to observe, generate, measure and record data with reasonable precision for repeated measurements, using digital tools as appropriate. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S6H02Related
Scientific knowledge, skills and data can be used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions. View on VCAA ↗
Often booked alongside
Chemical Sciences
Christmas SciTech
Students grow a crystal Christmas tree, mould a bouncy snowball, unmask mystery liquids with a colour-change indicator, make instant snow, launch Santa's sleigh and build a snowball catapult to take home.
Physical Sciences
Electricity
Students build working circuits, classify conductors and insulators, compare series and parallel configurations, and investigate how different energy sources, including hand-powered generators, produce electricity.
Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Bring Light to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.