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Presenter view · The Science of Seeing · Grades 5–8 · Science · 30 minutes

How Vision Works

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Before you start

Materials

  • Eye anatomy diagram — included at end of this document
  • Blind spot test cards — included at end of this document
  • Optical Illusions — Use the Mini Museum Perception Lab: minimuseumproject.org/exhibitions/seeing-is-deceiving/illusions

On the classroom screen

MSeeing is DeceivingHow Vision Works

Lesson · The Science of Seeing · Grades 5–8 · Science · 30 minutes

How Vision Works

Students will understand the basic anatomy of the eye, explain how the brain processes visual information, and analyze why specific optical illusions exploit limitations in the visual system.

30minutes

Press Start when the class is ready

Hook 5 minTeach 10 minActivity 12 minClosing 3 min

Up next

The Blind Spot Experiment 3 min

Setup: Distribute blind spot test cards. Instructions: (1) Close left eye, (2) Hold card at arm’s length, focus on + with right eye, (3) Slowly bring card closer — the dot will disappear!

Ready

30:00

Print

  • Green Level handout More Support (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Yellow Level handout Grade Level (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Red Level handout Go Deeper (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Poster 1 Projector mode (opens in a new tab)
  • Lesson plan Teacher (PDF, opens in a new tab)

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