Students explored how to manipulate light on Day 5 of Jedis vs. Spies - A Spy Gadget Camp at Kids Science Labs. By using mirrors, translucent materials such as jelly marbles and cellophane, and basic science questions like “how can I see around a corner” we engaged our young scientists in solving the seemingly impossible problem to actually see around a corner. Kids designed gadgets called periscopes, using either fixed mirrors or swivel mirrors, and tested the advanced concept of alignment and how it affects field of view. Beyond the obvious fun to innovate a working reflecting periscope from scratch, we wanted to build a framework to learn that what you see through a telescoping lens is related to the design and materials chosen. Spies and Jedis are the backdrop for testing how to bend light as a gadget, just like the basic “broken straw” experiment with an object in water as shown above. Note, some pictures were taken pre-Covid, as we encourage our students to wear masks.
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