Primary 6 – Science: Making Periscopes
P6 students recently learned about Reflection as part of Movement of Light chapter in Science class. Reflection happens when light falls and bounces off a surface. When light falls on a smooth surface, all the light rays travel in the same direction. It enables us to see our image on the surface of the object. The concept of Reflection is really useful in our daily life since we can use mirror to see things that we can’t see directly. The use of mirror is not only limited in our room, but also rear-view mirror used in car, concave mirror used by dentist, convex mirror used on the corner of street and plane mirror used inside a periscope.
After learning the theory of Reflection, students had a project to make a periscope. Periscope is a tool that usually used in submarine to see situations happen above the water. It can also be used to help people see around corners and things behind a high wall. The periscope made by students used cardboard, two mirrors and glue as the materials. To start the project, students had to make the body of periscope using cardboard. They carefully measured the cardboard using ruler to get the right shape of each structure. This step became the most challenging part since the result of their measurement would affect the final product. After measuring and cutting the cardboard, students could start assembling each part and put the mirrors in it. The position of mirrors should be on the top and bottom corner of periscope body and had to be exactly 45 degree angle. When students finished their periscope, they could test it by using the pericope to see things through the mirror inside periscope.
Through this activity, P6 students did not only gain more understanding about how reflection happens in real life, but they also learned how the concept of reflection can be used to produce a useful tool for human. Students also practiced their accuracy, focus and teamwork in making the periscope.
By making the periscope, students learned to be a mini engineer. They realized that knowing the concept of reflection and steps of making the periscope weren’t enough. They learned that by using measuring tools correctly, such as ruler and protractor, could help them in getting the right measurement. The accuracy of this measuring process would determine whether the periscope could work or not. By experiencing this process, students learn to work scientifically and hopefully they will be able to create useful products using the concept of Science in the future.
