Color Analyzers Investigating Light and Color : GEMS Teacher's Guide for Grades 5-8 (can be Adapted for Grade 9)
This unit engages students in fascinating investigations into the nature of light and color using an easily constructed instrument called a color analyzer. These activities effectively challenge commonly held student misconceptions about light and its role in vision, and enable students to make surprising discoveries about the colorful world they live in. Students begin by using a diffraction grating to look at different light sources in the classroom, and discover that light is made up of many different colors. Students then use their color analyzers to decode secret messages. They discover which filter works best for each message and proceed to apply what they've learned by creating their own secret messages. Finally, a sequence of challenges and observations helps students synthesize what they have learned.