IOWA 4-9 SCIENCE PROJECT

TEACHER GUIDE FOR : Film Canister Kaleidoscope Kay Hoyt
LIGHT.479 Grades 4-7

CONCEPT OBJECTIVE(S):

Students will construct a simple kaleidoscope that will reinforce how light behaves and help in understanding reflection.

PROCESS OBJECTIVE(S):

Students will develop observing, exploring, and investigating skills.

TEACHER NOTES:
This cycle is an alternative way to make Kaleidoscopes as shown in Light.476, and should follow Light.472, Light.473, Light,474, and Light.475.
A large supply of film canisters can be obtained from stores where film is processed. You may need to have the store (pharmacy) save them for you. You will need 1 clear and 1 black for each student.
Mylar, a mirror surfaced sticky paper, can be purchased from an art supply store. It comes in rolls and if you get the 3 inch roll it can be cut into 1" x 3" pieces that will fit right into the canisters. It can be put on poster board and recut, but will work with the lighter weight backing it comes on. Three microscope slides taped together with electrical tape can be used instead of the mylar mirrors. The teacher will need to decide whether the students are able to drill the holes in the bottom of the black canister, if not, drill 1/4" holes in each of the black canisters. A collection of small beads are interesting to use. The teacher will want to demonstrate the construction of the kaleidoscope, but then let the students choose from a variety of colored plastics, beads, etc.
Kaleidoscope construction: Tape the three mirrors together without any tape touching the mirrored side. Fold to form a triangle with the mirrored surfaces on the inside and tape. Insert the mirror triangle into the clear canister. Drop 3-4 small beads inside the mirror triangle. Cover the top of the mirrors with a piece of plastic wrap. Place the black canister over remaining mirror triangle. Hold the kaleidoscope up to the light and turn the canisters. Observe what happens.
The Project AIMS book Primarily Physics has some interesting suggestions to use with the study of Light.

MATERIALS:

For each student:
1 clear film canister
1 black film canister
3- 1" x 3" mylar mirror pieces
1 piece of each rose, yellow, blue and green plastic wrap.
masking tape
small beads

EXPLORATION:

Instruct students to construct their own kaleidoscope following your demonstration directions. Students will choose which color of plastic wrap to use and what objects to place inside the mirrors. Allow plenty of time for the students to look at each others and to redo their own.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:

After all students have had time to construct and use their kaleidoscopes have them share on a group chart what they found out. It's helpful if students don't have their kaleidoscopes with them during the discussion. Which objects made the most interesting design? What happened when you looked at the objects using just blue, or a single color of plastic wrap? What happened when you used blue and red or another combination?

APPLICATION:

Instruct the students to return to their materials and redo any of the combinations they missed. Allow students to use additional mylar to cut, tape, and experiment with other geometric shapes that fit inside the canisters. Each student should be able to take home a completed kaleidoscope with all colors of plastic wrap.