Gr. 5-8. Cobb presents information about optics and explores its basic principles through activities. Various aspects of light are covered: shadows, direction, focus, reflection, color, waves, energy, polarization, prism effects, and human perception of light; and the experiments follow. For instance, a chapter entitled "Light Benders" describes the history, functions, and practical applications of lenses, beginning with several pages of explanation, and proceeds through a series of simple demonstrations. These include observing the patterns of light at the bottom of a swimming pool, making a lens from ice in a mold (using half a tennis ball), and "grinding" an ice lens using hot water. While not experiments in the classic sense, the activities are simple and well designed and will give students basic knowledge. Cheerful line drawings and diagrams illustrate the text.
Carolyn Phelan
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Vicki Cobb, a New York City native, received her bachelor's degree in zoology from Barnard College and her master's degree in secondary science education from Columbia University. She has written many science-related books for young readers, and was the creator and host of
The Science Game, a television show. Ms. Cobb lives in Mamaroneck, New York, with her two sons.
