Light – Science in School

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Illustration of a satellite scanning Earth's surface.

February 1, 2022 | Issue 56

Infrared webcam hack – using infrared light to observe the world in a new way

What would the world look like if we could see infrared light? With some simple modifications, you can turn a cheap webcam into an infrared camera and find out!

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Astronomy / space, Earth science, Engineering, Physics
English

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November 3, 2021 | Issue 55

Exploring the universe: from very small to very large

How do physicists study very small objects (like molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles) and very large objects (such as galaxies) that cannot be directly observed or measured?

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Astronomy / space
English

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November 26, 2015 | Issue 34

Doing is understanding: science fun in India

School children in India built their own digital microscope, bent light and investigated gas laws. Find out how.

Ages: 11-14, 14-16;
Topics: Physics, Biology
English Italiano

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June 2, 2014 | Issue 29

Light refraction in primary education: the solar bottle bulb

More than 10 years ago, a very clever and inventive inhabitant from a favela discovered he could produce light without electricity. Now solar bulbs are spreading all over the world.

Ages: < 11, 11-14;
Topics: Physics, Engineering
English Lietuvos Nederlands Português Română

Inspire

May 22, 2012 | Issue 23

High-powered research: physicist Adrian Mancuso

Physicist Adrian Mancuso works at the cutting edge of 3D imaging, at what will be Europe’s newest and brightest X-ray facility.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Profiles
Deutsch English Español polski

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May 25, 2011 | Issue 19

What is chemiluminescence?

Glowing jellyfish, flickering fireflies, fun glow sticks; Emma Welsh introduces the beautiful and mysterious world of chemiluminescence.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Chemistry
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December 7, 2010 | Issue 17

Stage lights: physics and drama

Imagine sending music across the room by laser. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? But Alessio Bernardelli’s students did just that – and then developed a play to explain the science behind it. Here’s how to do it.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Engineering, General science
English Español polski

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December 8, 2009 | Issue 13

The first light in the Universe

Ana Lopes and Henri Boffin take us on a trip back in time – probing the history of the Universe.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Astronomy / space
Ελληνικα English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Português Română

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December 6, 2007 | Issue 7

Mercury: a poisonous solution

Sigrid Griet Eeckhout from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, investigates what determines the toxicity of mercury compounds – and how X-ray light is helping to solve the mystery.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Chemistry, Earth science
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March 9, 2007 | Issue 4

A fresh look at light: build your own spectrometer

Take a CD and a cereal box, and what do you have? With a little help from Mark Tiele Westra, your very own spectrometer! Time to explore the delights of colour, hidden in the most prosaic of objects.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics
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