TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics

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published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

This turn-key middle school lesson on optics presents an engineering challenge: Design and sketch a system to improve the sight of a human "patient". Using only a ©Light Blox kit, cookie cutters, and gelatin slabs, students will explore properties of light convergence and divergence. They will cut the gelatin into concave and convex shapes, shine colored laser light on these "lenses", and determine how to shape the gelatin to correct common vision problems. Included are detailed instructions for set-up, background information, supplementary videos, and printable student worksheets.

https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Education Practices - Active Learning Optics - Geometrical Optics = Refraction - Flat Surfaces = Straight Line Propagation Other Sciences - Engineering	- Middle School - High School	- Instructional Material = Activity = Instructor Guide/Manual = Laboratory = Lesson/Lesson Plan = Problem/Problem Set

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Educators - Learners	- text/html - application/pdf	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2020 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Keywords:: engineering design, engineering lessons, focal point, human vision, optics
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created November 8, 2021 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: February 22, 2025 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: October 10, 2020
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Next Generation Science Standards

Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (MS-PS4)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)

Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. (MS-PS4-2)

Engineering Design (MS-ETS1)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. (MS-ETS1-3)

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)

The path that light travels can be traced as straight lines, except at surfaces between different transparent materials (e.g., air and water, air and glass) where the light path bends. (6-8)

Information Processing (LS1.D)

Each sense receptor responds to different inputs (electromagnetic, mechanical, chemical), transmitting them as signals that travel along nerve cells to the brain. The signals are then processed in the brain, resulting in immediate behaviors or memories. (6-8)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Patterns (K-12)

Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships. (6-8)

Systems and System Models (K-12)

Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions. (6-8)

Structure and Function (K-12)

Structures can be designed to serve particular functions. (6-8)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to extending quantitative analysis to investigations, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic statistical techniques of data and error analysis. (6-8)
- Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings. (6-8)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to developing, using and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems. (6-8)
- Develop a model to generate data to test ideas about designed systems, including those representing inputs and outputs. (6-8)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)

Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include investigations that use multiple variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions. (6-8)
- Conduct an investigation to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence that meet the goals of an investigation. (6-8)

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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=15816">Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, October 10, 2020.</a>

AIP Format

(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2020), WWW Document, (https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/).

AJP/PRST-PER

TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2020), <https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/>.

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TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics. (2020, October 10). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/

Chicago Format

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, October 10, 2020. https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/ (accessed 3 May 2025).

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TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2020. 10 Oct. 2020. 3 May 2025 <https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/>.

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@misc{ Title = {TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics}, Publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {3 May 2025}, Month = {October 10, 2020}, Year = {2020} }

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%T TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics %D October 10, 2020 %I Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers %U https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/ %O text/html

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%0 Electronic Source %D October 10, 2020 %T TryEngineering: An Eye on Optics %I Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers %V 2025 %N 3 May 2025 %8 October 10, 2020 %9 text/html %U https://tryengineering.org/resource/lesson-plan/an-eye-on-optics/

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