How Can
We See?
Meagan Sturm
Carley Osgood
Next Generation Science
Standards Performance
Expectation
 1-PS4-2: Make observations to construct
an evidence-based account that objects
can be seen only when illuminated
[Clarification Statement: Examples of
observations could include those made in
a completely dark room, a pinhole box,
and a video of a cave explorer with a
flashlight. Illumination could be from an
external light source or by an object
giving off its own light.
Engage
 Show
the class the video of the Finding
Nemo deep sea fish attack (YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMTHr
vskSW8). Have the students observe how
Marlin and Dory can only see when the
Angler Fish’s light is near them. Ask the
students questions like: “Why couldn’t
Marlin and Dory see in the dark when they
first went down to the bottom of the
ocean?”
Explore

Divide the class up into groups and have
each group observe pinhole boxes with
various objects in them. Have the students
look in the box without a flashlight and
predict why they can or cannot see the
object when the box is dark. Then, have the
students look in the box with a flashlight and
predict why they can see the object when a
light source is used. Have the students draw
pictures of what they observe.
Explain
 Within
their groups, have the students
explain why they think that they couldn’t
see the object in the box without light.
Then, as a large group, the teacher will
discuss how light reflects off of the object
and allows us to see it. When no light
reflects off of the object, we cannot see
it.
Elaborate
 Have
the students walk around different
rooms of their house and observe the
lighting in each room and how well they
can see objects in each room. Have the
students observe whether they can see
objects in the room right away or if it takes
time for their eyes to adjust. Also have
them describe where the source of light is
coming from that is allowing them to see
the objects.
Evaluate
 Have
the students write a paragraph
about their observations made at home
using the information that they learned in
class. Also have them draw a picture to
show what they observed.
Sources
 Finding
Nemo Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMTHr
vskSW8
 A Scientific Investigation of Light: A
scientific investigation of
light: https://www.teachingchannel.org/vi
deos/science-lesson-on-light