In this science project, children revisit learning about light from the projects Light and Shadows and Earth and Space, including light sources, reflectors, day and night, shadows, space and sun safety. They observe a range of demonstrations that prove that light travels in a straight line. They extend this learning to understand how light enters the eye and helps us to ‘see’, using research to learn more. Children explore the spectrum of light, focusing on visible light and use this learning to understand how we perceive colour. They investigate colour perception within the class, seeking patterns and relationships in their data.

Children revisit learning about shadows and independently explore shadow making. They use their observations to draw diagrams and identify patterns in how shadows change. They explore reflected light by investigating plane, concave and convex mirrors, identifying their similarities, differences and uses. Children conduct a comparative test to measure reflected light from different coloured papers using data loggers with light sensors or light meter apps. They use their observations to discuss fair testing, repeat readings and how their results relate to real life. Finally, they explore refraction and how this relates to rainbows, vision and corrective glasses. After initial exploration, children ask scientific questions related to refraction, gather information using research methods and write scientific reports.

The focus for the Innovate stage is planning and carrying out, with children planning a fair investigation that relies on measuring light intensity.