Beam Bouncers Teacher Guide Beam Bouncers
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Subject
Physical Science
Grade Level
1st Grade
Learning Objective
Students will conduct an investigation to determine how light behaves when it hits a mirror, observing that light reflects (bounces) in a predictable way.
NGSS Standard
1-PS4-3
Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
Lab Equipment Checklist
Flashlight (1 per pair)
Small Hand Mirror
Target Stickers/Cards
Recording Sheets
Darkened Room
Yellow Crayons
The Investigation Flow
1. Spark Curiosity (5 mins)
Ask students: "Can we make a light beam turn a corner?" Turn on a flashlight and point it at a wall. Introduce the mirror as a "Light Bouncer."
2. Predict & Model (10 mins)
Hand out the Discovery Sheets . Before using the flashlights, have students draw where they think the light will go when it hits the mirror.
3. The Mirror Challenge (20 mins)
Guide students through three challenges:
Challenge A: Bounce the beam onto the ceiling.Challenge B: Bounce the beam onto a friend's target card.Challenge C: Can you use two mirrors to bounce the beam twice?
4. Record & Reflect (10 mins)
Students complete their "After Testing" drawings. Discuss how the angle of the mirror changes where the light lands.
Big Science Questions
Observation
What happens to the light beam when it hits the mirror?
Variables
What happens if we tilt the mirror slightly?
Beam Bouncers Discovery Sheet Beam Bouncers
Light Reflection Scientist Discovery Sheet
Name:
Date:
"How can we use a mirror to bounce a beam of light?"
1
My Prediction
Draw where you THINK the light will go!
Flashlight
Mirror
2
My Observation
Draw where the light REALLY went!
Flashlight
Mirror
3
Mission Challenges
Bounce to the ceiling!
Hit a target card!
Use 2 mirrors!
Science Discovery:
I learned that light...
Beam Bouncer Target Cards Beam Bouncer Targets
Cut these out and tape them to the wall or floor!
Target #1
Super Star
Target #2
Moon Mission
Target #3
Rocket Blast
Target #4
Planet Pulse
Pro Tip!
Try hitting the target from far away. Then try hitting it from a different angle. What changes?
Beam Bouncers Assessment Worksheet Mission Check
Beam Bouncers Assessment
Name:
Date:
1
What happens when a light beam hits a mirror?
The light stops and stays inside the mirror.
The light bounces off and goes in a new direction.
The light goes straight through the mirror.
2
Complete the Beam!
Draw a yellow line to show where the light will bounce to hit the star.
Mirror
Flashlight
Target
3
Which object is best at bouncing (reflecting) light?
A shiny mirror
A bumpy rock
Word Power
Finish this science sentence:
When light bounces off a mirror, we call it
r e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Beam Bouncers Assessment Key Mission Check
Answer Key
Grade 1 Science
Light Reflection
1
What happens when a light beam hits a mirror?
The light stops and stays inside the mirror.
The light bounces off and goes in a new direction.
The light goes straight through the mirror.
2
Expected Drawing:
Should bounce toward the star!
3
Best material:
A shiny mirror
A bumpy rock
Word Power Answer
When light bounces off a mirror, we call it:
REFLECTION
