How we know light travels in a straight line? - Write up - Worksheet - Year 6

In a Year 6 worksheet designed to explore the properties of light, students are asked to investigate the question: "How do we know that light travels in a straight line?" The worksheet is divided into three key stages: the Planning Stage, the Doing Stage, and the Evaluation Stage, guiding students through a structured process of discovery. Initially, the Planning Stage requires students to consider the methods and tools they might use to observe the path of light and to predict what they might discover about its behaviour.

During the Doing Stage, the students carry out their planned experiment, observing how light behaves when it encounters objects or travels through different mediums. This practical investigation is crucial for students to gather evidence and see firsthand the principles of light propagation. Finally, in the Evaluation Stage, students reflect on their findings, discussing how their observations support the idea that light travels in straight lines. They also consider the role of their eyes in perceiving light, leading to a deeper understanding of both the physical properties of light and human vision. This structured approach not only reinforces scientific concepts but also develops critical thinking and scientific enquiry skills.