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Subject: Light, Color & Seeing

Science activity to investigate the color of water
A Splash of Color

Is pure water colorless?

Science activity that demonstrates the afterimage phenomenon
Afterimage

A flash of light leaves a lingering image.

Science activity to construct a cube that can be perceived in two ways
Ambiguous Cube

A cube made from drinking straws can confuse your brain.

Science activity in which short pieces of chenille stem look random until viewed in the proper perspective
Ames Chair

Without depth perception, random lines can become a chair!

Anti-Gravity Mirror

Learn how to fly with this neat mirror trick.

Science activity demonstrating color afterimage phenomenon
Bird in a Cage

Stare at one color—but see another.

Science activity demonstrating the blind spot phenomenon
Blind Spot

To see or not to see.

Science activity demonstrating the phenomenon of light scattering
Blue Sky

Discover why the sky is blue and the sunset is red.

Science activity that demonstrates how some light sources flash on and off many times a second
Bronx-Cheer Bulb

Give a light source the raspberry and watch it wiggle.

Science activity investigating spectroscopy
CD Spectroscope

Turn an old CD into a spectroscope to analyze light.

Science activity demonstrating visual perception illusion
Cheshire Cat

Make a friend disappear, leaving only a smile behind.

Science activity that demonstrates the dominant eye phenomena
Circles or Ovals?

Your brain combines information from your eyes in surprising ways.

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Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute