By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• Design the space around them in creative way
• Use spatial thinking in their own environment
• Think about different solutions of the problem
• Guide other people by using terms referring to directions

Physics, arts  

Design Thinking

Problem Based Learning

We could start from this activity (based on the light reflected in the mirror) to make students understand how light contains all existing colors, even those whose wavelengths we cannot perceive. Teachers can also explain how many artists in their paintings have already studied lights and shadow, starting from physical experiments

Classroom or open air

• One big standing mirror
• 15-20 small frame mirrors which can be hold in the hands
• Objects which can be used as obstacles (bigger ones, e. g. movable screens, trees, open blankets hanging on a rope, cars)
• Toy laser
• Torch
• 3-4 blindfold bands or other materials to cover the students’ eyes
• Timer

In order to deliver this lesson, the teacher will need to have the following knowledge and skills set:

• good explanation of the rules to make them clear for all students
• good management skills
• multitasking – checking the timer, checking if there is no laser light reflecting in any of the mirrors

STEP 1: Explaining the rules of the activity

· The aim of the activity is to create a neverending mirror. We will divide students into 2 groups. Each group must use those small available mirrors to build a pathway from point A to the huge standing mirror in point B in the way that light of the torch will be visible in the huge standing mirror. But the point is: some of you will be blindfolded so rest of the group must direct them where to stand and how to hold the mirror in their hands. But be careful! There will be one dangerous laser light district. You cannot let the laser light to be reflected in any of your mirrors. If this will happen you must change the angle of your mirror. The team which will make the mirror pathway faster will win.

STEP 2: Prepare obstacles which will be placed in many different places in the classroom/open area to make the activity more challenging. Place some big standing objects and decide who will hold the toy laser and into which direction will point it.

STEP 3: Start the activity and count the time. Watch if blindfolded students don’t take out their eye covers. Observe the way students communicate with each other. Check if there is no laser light reflecting in any of the mirrors held by them. Check the time.

STEP 4: After students announce that they have finished, stop the timer. Check if the torch light is visible in the big standing mirror at the end of the path and if there is no laser light reflecting in any of the mirrors. If the task is completed successfully by the first group take a note of the time they used.

STEP 5: Prepare the second group for the activity. Change the obstacle course, blindfold 3 or 4 students, place the person with laser in different place.

STEP 6: When everything is ready start the activity and count the time of the second group. Repeat all of the actions which you did with the first group.

STEP 7: Announce the winners.

STEP 8: Discuss with the students what this activity taught them, what did they learn, what were the most difficult parts of this activities, which difficulties they had to overcome.

All students in the group will have the same opportunity to decide which way is the best to win the game – they can build a mirror pathway, direct blindfolded classmates how to hold the mirror, think about possible solutions, etc. Groups will be divided to have equal or similar number of both boys and girls inside each of them.

Thanks to this activity students can:

• Develop their spatial thinking and imagination by creating in their mind the path which is necessary to build by using reflection in the mirrors
• Learn to cooperate
• Learn how to correctly guide others by using terms referring to directions
• Increase their focus abilities and patience during making different kind of tasks
• Develop multitasking (building mirror pathway, avoiding laser area, guiding blindfolded colleagues to hold the mirror correctly