How does information get from one place to another so quickly? In the Get Critical! STEM Kit, students will conduct experiments with optical fibers to learn about reflection, refraction, critical angles, and diffraction. They even get a chance to send “text messages” between groups!
Big Concepts include: 1) reflection; 2) refraction; 3) density; 4) critical angles; 5) diffraction; and 6) wavelengths of light.
Scientific Inquiry Skills include: 1) measuring critical angles; 2) data collection and graphing; 3) use of spectroscope; and 4) use of science notebooks.
Get Critical! STEM Kit Tutorials
- Measuring Critical Angles (video coming soon)
- Get Critical! STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide)
- Get Critical! STEM Kit Clean-Up & Repacking Instructions
- Get Critical! STEM Kit Material List
Get Critical! STEM Kit Resources
- Blank Critical Angle Graph Template
- Blank Spectroscope Scale Template
- Morse Code Template
- Critical Angle Protractor Template
- Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
- Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
- Science Notebook Evaluation Rubric
- Get Critical! STEM Kit Classroom Discussion Questions
- Get Critical! STEM Kit Instruction Booklet
(available upon request – email name and school to Dr. Andrew Warnock)
CSU Resources
- Faculty Collaborator: Dr. Martin Gelfand – College of Natural Sciences, Dept. of Physics
- Engineering Research Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology
Other Useful Resources
Borrowing Get Critical! STEM Kits
There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The loan application forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Courtney Gooding Butler (courtney.butler@colostate.edu).
- Local Pick-Up Loan Application Form – for educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.)
- Delivery Loan Application Form – for educators in Colorado outside of the immediate Fort Collins area
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. – Albert Einstein
