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Life Science Classes

Exceptional Perception -- The Human Eye
Grades 3, 5-8 

The human eye is a remarkable optical instrument that enables us to observe our world and beyond. In this class, eye scopes let students see inside their own eyes. Perception tasks measure peripheral vision, color perception, and depth perception. The 3D and lentigraph holograms show how the brain can be fooled into seeing these images. 

Note: An extended version of this class can be arranged, which would include the dissection of a cow’s eye.

Vocabulary:

Possible Activities:

• Introduction: The human eye is a remarkable instrument that enables us to observe our world and beyond. It is the most widely used astronomical tool. How do you think you’re able to see things? Do we all see things the same? What are some eye disorders that you’ve heard about?
• How the brain creates visual sense of the world – whole-group activity.
• Visual learning stations, with the rules/purpose for each task highlighted: eye scopes, peripheral vision disks, eye test charts, Ishihara’s Color blindness test, the blindspot, dominant eye test, optical illusions, 3-D. 
• Colored light and color vision – mixing red, green, and blue light; color fatigue.
• Closure: What did we find out? This is the time to review highlights of today’s investigations and acknowledge any questions that may have arisen as a result.
• The optional cow's eye dissection activity requires an additional specimen fee and modification of preceding activities.

Pre-Visit Activities:

• Review vocabulary (if appropriate)
• Magnify letters using a sheet of clear plastic (transparency) over newsprint, and/or water-drop lenses. Notice the size and shape of the drops. Do the various sizes and shapes magnify the same?
• What is a lens? Brainstorm a list of things that use lenses. 
• Use a pair of binoculars or a telescope and allow students to practice focusing on near and far objects. 

Post-Visit Activities:

• CSSC has several exhibits that relate to 3-D technology. Be sure to visit the Hologlobe exhibit and the Solar System walkway, which includes many enhanced visual experiences.
• Journey through an amazing peripheral experience in the Tien MegaDome Theatre at CSSC. 
• Try the Lawrence Hall of Science's Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) unit “Color Analyzers” for 3-D adventures.
• You Won’t Believe Your Eyes! by Catherine O’Neill, National Geographic Society, 1987, is a book that explores a variety of visual illusions and ways the eye-brain system can be fooled.

Related Web Sites:

Virtual Dissections: Follow step-by-step simulated dissections. The squid, clams, and even cow’s eyes are available at this site. 
http://biology.miningco.com/education/biology/msub21.htm

State of California Science Standards:

Physical Science
Third Grade 

2. Light has a source and travels in a direction. As a basis for understanding this concept, students know:

b. light is reflected from mirrors and other surfaces

c. the color of light striking an object affects how our eyes see it.

d. we see objects when light traveling from an object enters our eye.

Life Science
Third Grade

3. Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism's chance for survival. As a basis of understanding this concept, students know:

a. plants and animals have structures that serve different functions for growth, survival and reproduction

Seventh Grade 
Structure and Function in Living Systems

5. The anatomy and physiology of plants and animals illustrate the complementary nature of structure and function. As a basis for understanding this concept, students know:

b. organ systems function because of the contributions of individual organs, tissues, and cells. The failure of any part can affect the entire system.

Physical Principles in Living Systems

6. Physical principles underlie biological structures and functions. As a basis for understanding this concept, students know:

b. for an object to be seen, light emitted by or scattered from it must enter the eye.

c. light travels in straight lines except when the medium it travels through changes.

d. how simple lenses are used in a magnifying glass, the eye, camera, telescope, and microscope.

e. white light is a mixture of many wavelengths (colors), and that retinal cells react differently with different wavelengths.

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