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Science Snacks
Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope
Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope
Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope
  • Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope
  • Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope
  • Science activity that demonstrates reflections in a kaleidoscope

Duck Into Kaleidoscope

Make multiple images of yourself.

With this mirrored kaleidoscope, you can create hundreds of images of whatever you place inside. The basic structure is a triangle, but mirrors can be formed into other shapes and angles as well.

Note: While Snacks were originally conceived to require only low-cost materials, a few Snacks—such as this one—use materials that are notably costly (although there is a reasonable chance these materials might be found in a middle- or high-school classroom). If your school has such items, then this Snack may be appropriate. If not, its usefulness may depend on your ability to obtain or improvise suitable substitutes.


Grade Bands: 
3-5
6-8
9-12
Subject: 
Mathematics
Physics
Light
Keywords: 
mirror
reflections
exhibit-based
NGSS and EP&Cs: 
PS
PS4
ETS
ETS1
CCCs
Patterns
Cause and Effect

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Tools and Materials

  • Three 1/8-inch-thick acrylic (plastic) mirrors, each measuring 1 feet × 2 feet (30 × 60 cm), available from a plastics supply store
  • Duct tape

Assembly

1. Tape the short sides of the three mirrors together to form a triangle, with the reflecting surfaces on the inside (see photo at top).


To Do and Notice

Put the kaleidoscope over your head and you'll see a million faces!


What's Going On?

In a kaleidoscope you see reflections of reflections.


Going Further

If you have extra mirrors, experiment by making other closed geometrical shapes such as a square, a rectangle, or a hexagon. Put each shape over your head, or place an object in the center of the shape, and look at the reflections.



Related Snacks

Science activity that investigates reflections
Look into Infinity

Images of images of images can repeat forever.

Anti-Gravity Mirror

Learn how to fly with this neat mirror trick.

Science activity that demonstrates how mirrors work
Mirror Reversal

Reflect on the ins and outs of mirrors.


Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute

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