1. Kaleidoscope

2. Rationale and core concepts
Rationale: The activity aims at
Familiarizing the children with (multiple) reflection, the size of images and real or virtual images
Familiarizing the children with the spatial symbolic system
Core concepts:
Reflection off a plane mirror
Multiple reflections
Spatial symbolic system

3. Activity: Introduction to multiple reflection
Use 2 mirrors in an angle of 90 degrees
Use an asymmetric character
If you have one flat mirror, light from the object will reflect off the mirror once and leave the system. When you have more than one mirror, you can create multiple reflections. These multiple reflections can lead to multiple images.
Two mirrors can not capture the light. Three mirrors can.

4. Activity: Introduction to multiple reflection
Target group: 8-14 Years old
Increasing amount of complexity of the accompanying theory
Setting of the class:
Small groups of 4-5 persons
Materials for each group:
2 mirrors
Assymetric character on paper
Space and time:
In the classroom
If you have one flat mirror, light from the object will reflect off the mirror once and leave the system. When you have more than one mirror, you can create multiple reflections. These multiple reflections can lead to multiple images.
Two mirrors can not capture the light. Three mirrors can.

5. Activity: Introduction to multiple reflection
If you have one flat mirror, light from the object will reflect off the mirror once and leave the system. When you have more than one mirror, you can create multiple reflections. These multiple reflections can lead to multiple images.
Two mirrors can not capture the light. Three mirrors can.
If you have one flat mirror, light from the object will reflect off the mirror once and leave the system. When you have more than one mirror, you can create multiple reflections. These multiple reflections can lead to multiple images.
Two mirrors can not capture the light. Three mirrors can.

6. Activity: Make a kaleidoscope
Illustrations by David Bamundo (

7. Activity: Make a kaleidoscope
Target group: 8-14 Years old
Increasing amount of complexity of the accompanying theory
Setting of the class:
Small groups of 4-5 persons
Space and time:
In the classroom

8. Activity: Make a kaleidoscope
Materials:
Paper towel tube cut eight inches (20 centimeters) long
Clear plastic report cover
Ruler
Pen or marker
Paring knife or art utility knife
Four-inch (ten-centimeter) squares (one each) of black construction paper, plastic wrap, and waxed paper
Scissors
Rubber band
Clear tape
Colored transparent beads, small sequins, and shiny confetti
Stickers and wrapping paper

9. References
Multiple Reflections. (2007, August 19). Retrieved June 18, 2010, from The International Society for Optical Engineering:
Be Dazzled – Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Retrieved June 18, 2010,