Light & Sound

We look at properties of light & sound… and bring these together so that kids see both concepts are based on waves.

Sound concepts covered:

What do sound waves look like? How does this relate to light waves?
How does a sound wave change with pitch and increasing volume?
And much more…

Light concepts covered:

Investigate the visible light spectrum, including colour addition and subtraction
Explore luminescent minerals and other objects using ultraviolet light
Make coloured shadows and create hovering images
Learn about translucent, transparent and opaque materials
Operate zoetropes and flipbooks to create cartoons and more…

From absorption to reflection and pitch to volume, your students will gain a strong understanding of light & sound and it’s applications in everyday life.

Available as a primary school science incursion within Australia or as a video conference to any school around the globe!

Online Class Version

We’ve run live interactive distance programs since 2010 and are highly experienced in making online classes engaging for students on a variety of web conferencing platforms.

All of the same curriculum points will be covered, but the activities may vary from those listed for face-to-face incursions.
Our online classes include demonstrations, Q&A, and hands-on activities (you will receive a materials list upon booking).
Full child protections are in place
We usually connect to classes & homes via Zoom, however if you wish to use a different software we can work with you on getting the connection live.

If you connect with us via Zoom

Full system requirements for Zoom here
Each student should test their Zoom connection here.
Once the date & time is arranged we will send you simple connection instructions (one click & you’re in!)

Quick Links

Australian Curriculum Mapping

for all science workshops & shows

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:
Science

Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed (ACSSU020).
Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (ACSSU080).

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW SCIENCE SYLLABUS CONTENT

for all our incursions

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

NSW Science & Technology Syllabus Content
A student:

ST1-8PW-S
describes common forms of energy and explores some characteristics of sound energy

ST1-9PW-ST
investigates how forces and energy are used in products

ST2-8PW-ST
describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat

ST3-7MW-T
explains how the properties of materials determines their use for a range of purposes

ST3-8PW-ST
explains how energy is transformed from one form to another

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus
(Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site

ST1-SCI-01
measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

ST1-PQU-01
poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect

ST2-PQU-01
poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems

ST3-PQU-01
poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

Print a PDF which details K to 6 mapping of all our NSW science visits

Victorian F – 10 Science Curriculum

Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed (VCSSU049)

Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (VCSIS050)

Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (VCSSU073)

Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (VCSSU080)

Print a PDF which details P to 6 mapping of all our VIC science visits

School Testimonials

View All

St. Luke's Grammar School

Feedback on:
Light & Sound

Ben was great! The session was really relaxed with the kids.

Manly Village Public School

Feedback on:
Light & Sound

All the Year 1 teachers of Manly Village Public School want to thank you for the interesting and informative Light and Sound incursion that Ben delivered to us yesterday. The children were shown many different examples of how light and sound work such as the Newton's wheel, the slinky and the shadows on the screen. Ben was very professional and enthusiastic and gave simple explanations that the year 1 students could understand. Many thanks for the educational show and we will be sure to recommend Fizzics Education to other teachers in our school and other colleagues.

Science Show Activities

Colour mixing

Mix primary light colours ... why are the secondary colours different to paint?

Bubble Films

See light split through a bubble film. Nice... and demonstrates wave theory

Float that image

Create a 3D floating image hovering in mid-air

Magic specs

See rainbows all around with these diffraction glasses

Mirror boxes

Hidden compartments can create 'magical' illusions. How do they work?

Flys eye scopes

What is the difference between human and insect eyes?

Insect clickers

A simple device used in communications during wartime

Music Box

An investigation into sound travelling through different materials.

Slinky shake

A visual depiction on how soundwaves propagate through the air.

Straw flute

A simple yet effective way of demonstrating a standing wave. Students love it!

Xylophones

Compare different xylophones and their pitch

Twirl tubes

Students work together to create chords of varying pitch. Great fun!

Thunder drum

A demonstration on amplifying sound and blocking vibrations.

Slinky shake experiment by Holly SciFest Africa Grahamstown March 2015

Posts about this school science incursion on light & sound

Requirements

The ability to darken the room is essential. Choose the best room you have wherever possible.
Appropriate for Years 1 to 6 with a maximum of 30 students per class,
10 Tables arranged around a room. Chairs are not required.
It’s handy to have a whiteboard or screen in the room as well.
Access to 3 electrical power sockets.
Duration 90 minutes, set up time 45 minutes and pack up time 45 minutes.

For us to provide the best possible learning experience, the materials used during the presentation may be varied to suit the conditions and the audience. Please chat with our presenter if there is a particular focus that you’d like us to cover.

If you want to concentrate on just light or sound, check out the dedicated workshops below;

During Social Distancing – Contact us
and we’ll tailor a program to suit both your school and the State’s social distancing requirements. Further details here

Go further – Complete Units of Work to support your teaching!

Hours of High-Quality videos, printable experiments, quizzes, vocabulary lists,
Scope & sequences, cross-curricular teaching ideas, marking rubrics & more
Save time & engage students in STEM

Find out more!

Did you know about our larger stage shows?

Designed to engage groups of up to 240 students, pair this workshop with one of these school favourites!

Cost

$600 inc. GST for a 90-minute workshop.

We can run this as a 60-minute show for up to 60 students at a cost of $750 inc. GST.

Available as an online class anywhere in the world.
Find out more here

Find out about offers & discounts here!

In a regional area? Find out how we can attend your school as part of a country science tour!

Call 1300 856 828, or click below to make a booking for your primary school.

Print a PDF for mapping of all our K to 6 science visits

Find out more here

Enquire Now

Extension Ideas!

STEM Full Day Accelerator - Primary

Create a Full Day STEM Accelerator or join us for a rapid science upskill! For schools outside of metropolitan areas please contact us to discuss how this science workshop can be run online or visit your school as part of a regional visit.
Click below to know more!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

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School Comments View All

I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!

-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big Fun

Thanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.

-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big Fun

Fizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.

-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun Day

Fizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.

-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun