Light is all around us, but how does it work? In this illuminating STEM incursion, students become scientists and engineers as they investigate the fascinating properties of light through a series of exciting, hands-on missions. From harnessing the Sun’s energy to exploring how our eyes detect light, students discover how light shapes our everyday lives while developing scientific inquiry, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mission 1 – Solar Oven Challenge
Students become renewable energy engineers as they design and build a simple solar oven. They investigate how the Sun’s energy can be captured and used to generate heat while exploring the benefits of sustainable energy sources.
Mission 2 – Journey Through the Eye
Students take an immersive virtual reality journey inside the human eye to discover how light travels through the eye and allows us to see. They explore the different parts of the eye and learn how the brain interprets visual information.
Mission 3 – Laser Maze Challenge
Can you complete the mission without breaking the beam? Students work collaboratively to navigate an exciting laser maze, investigating how light travels in straight lines while testing their agility, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Mission 4 – Light Explorers
Students investigate the behaviour of light through a variety of hands-on experiments. They explore concepts such as reflection, refraction and the formation of shadows by making predictions, testing ideas and observing how light interacts with different materials.
Mission 5 – Suncatcher Creations
Students apply their understanding of light by designing and creating a colourful suncatcher to take home. As light shines through their creation, students observe how transparent materials interact with sunlight to produce beautiful visual effects.
Students Will
- Investigate how light behaves through hands-on experiments.
- Explore renewable energy by designing and testing a solar oven.
- Discover how the human eye detects and processes light.
- Observe reflection, refraction and shadow formation.
- Apply scientific knowledge to create a functional suncatcher.
- Strengthen inquiry, collaboration and problem-solving skills through engaging STEM challenges.
- Develop an appreciation of the importance of light in science, technology and everyday life.