Unit 1: Exploring the Nature of Light Phenomena
III. Developing Central Ideas Based on Evidence
In this section, you will be developing some central ideas about the nature of light by playing with light and shadows. Keeping track of what you are doing and thinking is important.
A. Documenting your explorations
One way to document what you are doing and thinking is to write an on-going record in a science notebook. The physics notebook page shown in Figures 1.3 and 1.4, for example, can help you remember your thoughts before, during, and after an exploration. First view the front of the physics notebook page:
Topic: What are you exploring?
Before column. Before starting your exploration, discuss with your group members what you already know about this topic, what ideas you have, what questions you are asking, how you plan to conduct the exploration, and what you think you might find out. Record these briefly in the “Before” column along with any relevant drawings.
During column. During your exploration, record what is happening and what you are thinking about what you are observing. Include sketches of equipment and observations. Indicate whether you confirm or disconfirm your predictions and what these findings suggest for next steps.
Vocabulary. Note any words that are new and their definitions.
Then view the back of the physics notebook page:
After: Central Ideas. After your exploration, record any central ideas that have emerged from your observations and discussions.
After: Evidence. Also note the relevant evidence on which you have based these ideas.
After: Rationale. State explicitly how the evidence is relevant and supports the claim you are making in stating the central ideas. Also note why this result is important.
After: Reflection. Then write a reflection about whatever you want to remember about this experience – perhaps what you have done and learned, how you learned this, and what implications this experience might have for teaching this topic in your own classroom…
After: Wonderings. In addition, briefly state what you are still wondering at this point.
Adam Devitt designed these notebook pages when he was assisting in this course. He was a special education elementary school teacher enrolled in a graduate program in science education. He based his design of these physics notebook pages on “before, during, and after” reading strategies that enhance literacy learning. Some of the entries have been slightly modified.
B. Exploring the nature of light phenomena
Asking questions is an important aspect of doing science. Question 1.3 is a “what happens…” question:
Question 1.3 What happens when light from a source shines on a screen?
Equipment: a light source in a dark room; a screen such as a large white board covered with a piece of chart paper
- Find a dark room in which to explore the nature of light such as a room with no windows or a room with windows that have dark shades to keep out daylight.
For a vertical screen, use a plain whi