Carolina Curriculum: GEMS > Kits for Grades K-5

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Expanded view of the Color Analyzers Kit

GEMS^® Color Analyzers (Grades 5–8)

Why does an apple look red? That is the question! Light and color as key science topics. An accurate understanding of light and color occupies an essential place in science standards at every level. The GEMS Color Analyzers unit engages students in fascinating investigations that effectively challenge commonly held misconceptions and lead to a fuller understanding of the nature of light and color. Students construct and use a tool called a color analyzer to observe phenomena that are normally hidden from view. Students work toward explaining what they see in their own words, and refine their explanations through group discussion and reflection. Using white light, students explore concepts of color and light and decode secret messages. By applying what they have learned about color and light, students then create their own secret messages. Absorption and reflection are covered within Activity 3. After combining earlier activities with this experience, students are ready to tackle the question of why objects have color.

Benefits of using this kit:
	Introduces foundational science concepts that lead to student success
	Strongly aligned with multiple state standards and the National Science Education Standards and Bench Marks for Science Literacy
	Provides clear step-by-step instruction, assessment suggestions, literature connections, and ideas for further instruction

Goals Standards In the Kit Pilot this Kit Support

Goals of Color Analyzers
	Students gain understanding about light and color as they learn how to make secret messages, and why colored light filters work to decode secret messages.
	Students learn that light comes from only certain sources, and in order to see something, light must bounce off the object and come to our eyes.
	Students use a diffraction grating to discover that white light actually has many different colors in it, and black light is the absence of color. They discover that the colors come from the light, not from the plastic diffraction grating.
	Students are able to explain why objects appear to be certain colors.

National Standards addressed by Color Analyzers:

	Physical Science Standard, 5–8: Transfer of energy.
	Inquiry Standard, 5–8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.
	Science and Technology Standard, 5–8: Abilities of technological design.
	Unifying Concepts and Principles: Constancy, change, and measurement; evidence, models, and explanation; Scale and Structure.

In the Kit:
The unit kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, a Teacher's Pack containing: copy masters, MSDS sheets, matrix of provided materials where used and materials needed but not supplied, and materials needed for a class of 32 students.

Try the Carolina Curriculum Pilot Program
What’s the best way to learn about STC Program®, Building Blocks of Science™, Math Out of the Box®, or GEMS Kits®? Pilot a unit in your school or district!

Here's how it works:

	Complete the pilot information request form.
	You choose a lead teacher(s) to pilot the units.
	Carolina ships the selected unit kit(s) to your school/district.
	At the end of the pilot, you can purchase one of the unit kits for 10% off the catalog price!

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	Color Analyzers Kit This Kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, an information packet, and the materials needed for a class of 30.

	Color Analyzers Kit Teacher's Guide Additional Teacher's Guides are available if you need them.

	Color Analyzers Kit Refill Pack This set replenishes the consumable materials in the Kit.