Kaleidoscope
Rationale and core concepts
• Rationale: The activity aims at
– Familiarizing the children with (multiple) reflection,
the size of images and real or virtual images
– Familiarizing the children with the spatial symbolic
system
• Core concepts:
– Reflection off a plane mirror
– Multiple reflections
– Spatial symbolic system
Activity:
Introduction to multiple reflection
• Use 2 mirrors in an angle of 90 degrees
• Use an asymmetric character
Activity:
Introduction to multiple reflection
• Target group: 8-14 Years old
– Increasing amount of complexity of the accompanying
theory
• Setting of the class:
– Small groups of 4-5 persons
• Materials for each group:
– 2 mirrors
– Assymetric character on paper
• Space and time:
– In the classroom
Activity:
Introduction to multiple reflection
• If you have one flat mirror, light from the
object will reflect off the mirror once and
leave the system. When you have more than
one mirror, you can create multiple
reflections. These multiple reflections can lead
to multiple images.
• Two mirrors can not capture the light. Three
mirrors can.
Activity:
Make a kaleidoscope
Illustrations by David Bamundo (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/funscience/be-dazzled/)
Activity:
Make a kaleidoscope
• Target group: 8-14 Years old
– Increasing amount of complexity of the
accompanying theory
• Setting of the class:
– Small groups of 4-5 persons
• Space and time:
– In the classroom
Activity:
Make a kaleidoscope
• Materials:
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Paper towel tube cut eight inches (20 centimeters) long
Clear plastic report cover
Ruler
Pen or marker
Paring knife or art utility knife
Four-inch (ten-centimeter) squares (one each) of black
construction paper, plastic wrap, and waxed paper
Scissors
Rubber band
Clear tape
Colored transparent beads, small sequins, and shiny confetti
Stickers and wrapping paper
References
• Multiple Reflections. (2007, August 19). Retrieved June 18,
2010, from The International Society for Optical Engineering:
http://www.hands-on-optics.org/docs/reflections.pdf
• Be Dazzled – Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Retrieved June 18,
2010,http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/funsc
ience/be-dazzled/