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Rainbow Lab: Exploring Light and Color

Grade 5Science2 days

In this 5th-grade science project, students explore the properties of light and color by designing a rainbow using light, water, and a prism. They investigate the composition of white light, how light interacts with different materials, and the phenomenon of refraction. Through hands-on experiments and a design challenge, students optimize their rainbow setup and document their findings, culminating in presentations and detailed reports.

Light RefractionWhite LightColor SpectrumPrismRainbow DesignMaterial Interactions

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a rainbow using light, water, and a prism to demonstrate the properties of white light and its interaction with different materials?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What is white light made of?
How do different materials affect the way light travels?
What happens when light passes through a prism or water?
How can we create a rainbow using light, water, and a prism?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand the composition of white light
Explain how light interacts with different materials, such as water and prisms
Demonstrate the refraction of light
Design a rainbow using light, water, and a prism

Next Generation Science Standards

5-PS1-1

Supporting

Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.Reason: Matter (water) and light interaction

5-PS2-1

Secondary

Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.Reason: While not central, gravity plays a role in setup

5-PS3-1

Secondary

Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) comes from the sun.Reason: Indirectly related through the energy of light

5-PS3-2

Primary

Describe that energy is transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.Reason: Directly addresses light as a form of energy transfer

5-PS3-3

Supporting

Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.Reason: Connects to water usage, though peripherally

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Hidden Messages

The teacher projects colorful images onto the wall and then asks students to view the images through different prisms. Do the prisms reveal a hidden message or change the colors?

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Material Interactions: Light's Journey

Students explore how different materials (water, air, prisms) affect the path of light, focusing on reflection and refraction.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Shine a light through containers of water and air. Observe and record any changes in the light's path.

2. Use a prism to refract light. Measure the angles of incidence and refraction.

3. Compare and contrast how light behaves in different mediums. Document findings in a comparative table.

4. Explain how white light separates into different colors when it passes through a prism.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative table and explanatory paragraph detailing how light behaves in different materials, with specific data on angles of refraction.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Explain how light interacts with different materials, such as water and prisms; Standard: 5-PS1-1 (Matter (water) and light interaction)

Activity 2

Rainbow Architects: Designing Refraction

Students apply their understanding of light refraction to design a setup using water and a prism to create a rainbow, optimizing the conditions for clear color separation.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Experiment with different angles and distances between the light source, water, and prism.

2. Adjust the setup to maximize the visibility and clarity of the rainbow colors.

3. Document the optimal arrangement, including measurements and rationale for design choices.

4. Write a detailed procedure of the experimental setup.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA documented procedure with diagrams detailing the optimal setup for creating a rainbow, including specific measurements and justifications for design choices. A presentation of how each choice impacts the final rainbow produced.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Demonstrate the refraction of light; Design a rainbow using light, water, and a prism; Standard: 5-PS3-2 (Addresses light as a form of energy transfer)

Activity 3

Light Explorers: What is White Light?

Students investigate the nature of white light by conducting initial experiments, observing its components, and forming a hypothesis about its composition.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Observe white light through a prism. Record observations of the colors that emerge.

2. Research the electromagnetic spectrum and identify the visible light portion.

3. Create a diagram illustrating the components of white light based on research and observations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed diagram of white light, labeling its constituent colors, along with a written hypothesis about the composition of white light.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand the composition of white light; Standard: 5-PS3-2 (Addresses light as a form of energy transfer)

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Rainbow Lab Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Light and Refraction

Demonstrates comprehension of key concepts related to light, its interaction with matter, and the phenomenon of refraction.

Criterion 1

Composition of White Light

Accurately describes the components of white light and how it separates into different colors.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a comprehensive explanation of white light's composition, including detailed descriptions of each color's wavelength and energy level. Diagram is accurate, detailed, and visually appealing.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately identifies the colors that make up white light and explains the basic concept of light separation through refraction. Diagram is clear and correctly labeled.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some of the colors in white light but struggles to explain the process of light separation or provides incomplete information. Diagram is basic and may have some inaccuracies.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows minimal understanding of white light composition and the concept of refraction. Diagram is incomplete or inaccurate.

Criterion 2

Light Interaction with Materials

Explains how light behaves when it interacts with different materials (water, air, prisms).

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a thorough and insightful explanation of light's behavior in various mediums, including detailed data on angles of refraction and reflection with supporting scientific reasoning. Explains how properties of material impact light behavior. Includes relevant scientific vocabulary.

Proficient

3 Points

Clearly explains how light changes direction when passing through different materials and provides supporting data on angles of refraction. Explains how water, air and prism affect light.

Developing

2 Points

Describes light's behavior in different materials but may lack specific details or accurate data. Struggles with relationship between material properties and light behavior.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows a limited understanding of how light interacts with different materials and provides insufficient data or explanations.

Category 2

Experimental Design and Execution

Demonstrates the ability to design and conduct experiments to explore light refraction and create a rainbow.

Criterion 1

Rainbow Design Optimization

Effectively optimizes the experimental setup to produce a clear and vibrant rainbow, justifying design choices with scientific reasoning.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates innovative problem-solving in optimizing the rainbow setup. Provides a detailed rationale for all design choices, including specific measurements and scientific principles. Explains how adjustments to setup impact rainbow vividness and clarity. Proposes further improvements to rainbow design.

Proficient

3 Points

Successfully creates a rainbow and provides a clear procedure with diagrams detailing the setup. Justifies design choices with reasonable explanations.

Developing

2 Points

Creates a rainbow but struggles to optimize the setup for clarity. Provides a procedure, but may lack detail or clear diagrams.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts to create a rainbow but is unsuccessful in optimizing the setup. Procedure is incomplete and lacks sufficient detail.

Criterion 2

Data Collection and Analysis

Collects and analyzes data accurately to support conclusions about light refraction.

Exemplary

4 Points

Collects comprehensive and precise data, using it effectively to support detailed conclusions about light refraction. Includes quantitative data to explain observations.

Proficient

3 Points

Collects accurate data and uses it to support conclusions about light refraction.

Developing

2 Points

Collects some data, but it may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. Analysis of data is limited.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to collect sufficient data or draws inaccurate conclusions.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Clearly and effectively communicates experimental findings and design choices.

Criterion 1

Clarity and Organization

Presents information in a clear, logical, and organized manner.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents information in an exceptionally clear, concise, and engaging manner. The presentation is well-organized, visually appealing, and demonstrates a deep understanding of the concepts.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents information clearly and logically, with a well-organized presentation.

Developing

2 Points

Presents information, but it may lack clarity or organization. Some points may be difficult to follow.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to present information in a clear or organized manner. The presentation is difficult to follow.

Criterion 2

Scientific Reasoning and Justification

Supports claims and design choices with sound scientific reasoning.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides compelling scientific reasoning to support all claims and design choices, demonstrating a deep understanding of the underlying principles. Includes relevant scientific vocabulary.

Proficient

3 Points

Supports claims and design choices with sound scientific reasoning.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to support claims and design choices, but the reasoning may be weak or incomplete.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to provide adequate scientific reasoning to support claims or design choices.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about light and color in this lab?

Text

Required

Question 2

How did the different materials (water, prism, air) affect the way light traveled?

Text

Required

Question 3

What challenges did you face when trying to create a rainbow, and how did you overcome them?

Text

Required

Question 4

If you could do this lab again, what would you do differently?

Text

Required

Question 5

How well do you think you understand the composition of white light after completing this lab?

Scale

Required

Question 6

Which part of the lab was the most helpful for your understanding of light?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Observing light through different materials

Creating the rainbow

Diagramming white light

Researching the electromagnetic spectrum