Looking Beyond
Youth investigate technologies that use mirrors to change the way light travels in order to collect information from a distance.
Guiding Question
What is the best way to redirect light to gather data from a distance?
TimingSetup
The Educator Guide has a script, materials list, and prep directions. Be sure to have it open and ready to help guide you through every activity. It will take about 15 minutes to prepare for this activity.
- Post the Engineering Design Process poster.
- Set up a sample obstacle course according to Obstacle Course Setup, Educator Guide p. 31.
- Create a Materials Table with the materials listed on Educator Guide p. 25.
Youth Will Know
- They can use mirrors to collect information from a distance by changing the way light travels.
- Investigate is an important step of the Engineering Design Process.
Youth Will Do
- Use multiple mirrors to see around obstacles.
- Create handheld periscopes.
Did you know?
NASA engineers use this same technology to send signals to the back side of the Moon!
Quick Tips
- Consider assigning roles for group members to keep everyone focused on the challenge.
- If youth are familiar with these concepts, consider setting up the periscopes and obstacle course as stations where they can move freely between activities.