Liberty Science Center 8^th Grade:

The Human Eye

Grade level- 8th grade

Learning Standard-

S2b- Demonstrates understanding of biological evolution.

S5f- Works individually or in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

S8d- Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research.

Time requirement - Approximately 30 minutes preparation time and 90 minutes class time.

Topics covered in this lesson - The human eye

Pre- Visit

a) Purpose- Students will learn the different components of the human eye. In addition, they will explore how distance, color, and shape affect vision.

b) Objectives-

- Students will develop an understanding of the functions of the different components of the human eye.

- Students will explore how factors such as distance, color and shape affect the perception of an object.

- Students will compare and contrast the human eye with the eyes of other species.

c) Materials required-

- Enlarged printed words from a newspaper or magazine.

- Index cards

- Measure tape like the ones used for sewing.

- Modeling clay

- Crayons

- Paper

- Illustrations of the human eye

d) Procedure

- Glue the newspaper or magazine selection on the index card.

- Roll the clay into a ball and mount the index card to it.

- Have the subject cover one eye.

- Bring the card toward the subject and ask the subject to focus on the letters.

- The subject should say stop when he/she can no longer focus on the card.

- At this point measure the distance between the subject and the card.

- Ask the students to change the experiment to test variables such as different shapes and colors and record their observations.

Post activity questions

1) What is the average distance where the image begins to blur for all test subjects?

2) Is the average distance smaller or larger for people who wear glasses?

3) Is the distance the same for both eyes of the same person?

e) Student learning prerequisites- Students should be familiar with the

following vocabulary word:

- Cornea - Retina

- Iris - Rod

- Pupil - Cone

- Lens - Optic nerve

Visit

Students will be guided trough as many exhibits as possible. The focus exhibit, however, will be the perception exhibit, more specifically the eye section. Once there, students will break into their groups and will record

as much information as possible about the eye of the animal of their choice.

Post visit

Assessment- Students will write an essay contrasting and comparing the eye of the animal they explored with the human eye.

Extensions and suggested homework assignments- Students will be asked to create a poster containing both the human eye and the animal they did their research on. In addition they will include a section on the common and

different characteristics of the human eye and the animal they chose.

Possible questions that may be brought up

1) How do your eyes work?

2) Why do you have two of them and why are they placed where they are on your head?

3) Why do some people need glasses?

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