Cardboard Tube Syllabus
Your brain combines information from your eyes in
surprising ways.
You have two eyes, yet you see only one image of your environment. If your eyes receive
conflicting information, what does your brain do? Do receptors in the eye act
independently, or do they influence each other? By looking through some simple tubes
made from rolled-up pieces of paper, you can explore how your two eyes influence each
other.
A well-lit white screen, white wall, or white sheet of paper.
Several sheets of white paper, such as typing paper or photocopy paper.
Transparent tape.
(5 minutes or less)
Roll three of the sheets of paper into paper tubes that are 11 inches (28 cm) long and
about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter. Use tape to keep the tubes from unrolling. Squash
one of the tubes so that its cross-section is a very flat oval.
Cut one piece of paper into a strip that is about 2 1/2 inches (6.4 cm) wide and 11 inches
(28 cm) long. Roll this strip into a tube that is about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter and 11
inches (28 cm) long.
With these tubes, you can perform a variety of experiments. Each has its own "To Do and
Notice" and "What's Going On." Try all four!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hole In Your Hand
Overlapping Spots
Circles or Ovals?
Lateral Inhibition
You can use paper towel tubes for all but the last of these experiments.