Up Periscope!
Construct and Explain the Workings of a Periscope
Level: High School
Subject: Science
Objective: Students will understand the relationship of scientific principles to the construction and workings of a periscope by developing sufficient knowledge of the transfer of energy.
Background: Periscope comes from two Greek words – peri, meaning “around,” and scopus, “to look.” A periscope enables one to look around walls, corners, or other obstacles. Submariners use periscopes so that the sailors inside can see what is on the surface of the water when the ship itself remains below the waves.
Materials: 2 each 1 quart milk cartons
2 each small pocket mirrors
Utility knife or X-Acto knife
Ruler
Pencil or pen
Masking tape
Task: Following a unit of study on energy transfer, students will construct a periscope and then write a two-page report explaining how the periscope works. The explanation is to be limited to two pages and written at a level that could be understood by a five to ten year old child.
Activity: 1. Use the knife to cut around the top of each milk carton, removing the peaked roof.
2. Cut a hole at the bottom of the front of one milk carton. Leave about ¼ inch of carton on each side of the hole.
3. Put the carton on its side and turn it so the hole you just cut is facing to your right. On the side that's facing up, measure 2 3/4 inches up the left edge of the carton, and use the pencil to make a mark there. Now, use your ruler to draw a diagonal line from the bottom right corner to the mark you made.
4. Starting at the bottom right corner, cut on that line. Don’t cut all the way to the left edge of the carton – just make the cut as long as one side of your mirror. If your mirror is thick, widen the cut to fit.
5. Slide the mirror through the slot so the reflecting side faces the hole in the front of the carton. Tape the mirror loosely in place.
6. Hold the carton up to your eye and look through the hole that you cut. You should see your ceiling through the top of the carton. If what you see looks tilted, adjust the mirror and tape it again.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 with the second milk carton.
8. Stand one carton up on a table, with the hole facing you. Place the other carton upside-down, with the mirror at the top and the hole facing away from you.
9. Use your hand to pinch the open end of the upside down carton just enough for it to slide into the other carton. Tape the two cartons together.
10. Now you have a periscope! If you look through the bottom hole, you can see over fences that are taller than you. If you look through the top hole, you can see under tables. If you hold it sideways, you can see around corners.
11. The student then writes a two-page report explaining how the periscope works. The explanation is to be limited to two pages and written at a level that could be understood by a five to ten year old child.
Circumstances of performance: This student work is to be produced under the following work conditions:
__ alone _x_ in a group
__ in class __ as homework
__ with teacher feedback __ timed
_x_ with peer feedback __ opportunity for revision
Standards addressed:
S1f. Physical Science Concepts: The student produces evident that demonstrates understanding of interactions of energy and matter, such as waves, absorption and emission of light, and conductivity.
S4a. Scientific Connections and Applications: The student demonstrates understanding of big ideas and unifying concepts, such as…causes and effect.
S7a - Scientific Communication: The student represents data and results in multiple ways, such as …drawings, diagrams, and artwork; and technical and creative drawing.
S7e - Scientific Communication: The student communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.
