Using waxed paper and a cardboard tube, build a viewer to make an image of the world outside. Kids will see how the image is flipped and begin to link this to a future study of lenses. Activity includes cards for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) that can be used in a variety of ways.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
- What can you see in a pinhole projector?
- Can you see colors in a pinhole projector?
- What is the orientation of the scene inside a pinhole projector?
Once students try this activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
- Pinholes can project a full color image of a scene.
- Light traveling through a pinhole can be projected onto a screen.
- The scene in a pinhole projector is upside down.
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed Foil, Tape, Wax paper, Pushpin, Rubber bands, Small tube, Black construction paper, Sunny day.
Prep Needed Gather supplies
Teaching Time 20-30 min
Related Labs Light and Optics
