Know and become familiar with the color spectrum.
Create their own spectrometers.

","materials","

For each student, prepare:

1 Cookie or cereal box
Diffraction gratings

For the class, prepare:

Tape
Black electrical tape (optional)
Scissors
Sharpie or pen
Background information handouts (one per table group)

Cookie Box Spectrometers Background Information

","preparation","

Have all materials ready and accessible for students.

","worksheets","","multimedia","steps","

Introduction:
- Ask students what they know about the color spectrum.
- Please handout the Background Information sheets to students (1 per table group). Go over the information as a class.
Spectrometer Building:

Instruct students to follow these steps to create their spectrometers:
1. Select one end of the cereal box, and close the flaps. Place a diffraction grating on this end and outline it with a sharpie. This will be referred to as the front of your “Spectroscope”.
2. Open the flaps and cut a hole smaller than the size of your outline in the cereal box.
3. Tape the cereal box flaps closed. Arrange your diffraction grating right side up (so you can read the label), then tape it over the hole you just cut. Make sure you can look through the grating and see inside the box.
4. Rotate the box around so you are now looking at the opposite end. (This will be the back of your “Spectroscope”). Close the two flaps and draw a line down the center (top to bottom, not side to side). The line should be directly opposite the diffraction grating and centered.
5. Cut along the mark you just made, making a very, very narrow slit in the box.
6. Close and tape the flaps on the back of your box. You may need to troubleshoot your spectroscope. If you don’t see a broadband of colors, try rotating the diffraction grating 90° (1/4 turn). If the slit is too wide, use pieces of black electrical tape to make it narrower and crisper.
Using Spectrometers:
1. Let students use their spectrometers outside (if the weather permits). As always, safety comes first when using scientific equipment of any kind. Tell students explicitly: DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN. DOING SO CAN DAMAGE YOUR EYES!
2. Assist any students who may be having difficulty seeing a spectrum of colors.
3. Have a final review with students on what they learned about light and the color spectrum.

","examples","versions","variations","

Are All Sources of Light the Same? Extension activity

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Cookie Box Spectrometers

Cookie Box Spectrometers

Cookie Box Spectrometers

Overview