Activity Overview
In this activity, students will look at how some of these different EM waves were discovered. They will create a narrative storyboard of how the discovery was made. This activity will get your students hooked on learning about some of the great stories about scientific discovery. Allowing them to select which part of the EM spectrum they want to research will allow them to take ownership over their work.
Suggested Key EM Spectrum Discoveries
- William Herschel and infrared
- Johann Ritter and UV
- Wilhelm Röntgen and X-rays
- Paul Villard and gamma rays
- Isaac Newton’s experiments with the nature of colored light
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Retell the story of how one part of the EM spectrum was discovered using a narrative storyboard.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Research the story of how your chosen wave was discovered and who discovered it.
- Retell the story using a narrative storyboard.
- Add a description to the cells to explain the illustrations.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vizualisations | All the visualizations are easy to understand and help in telling the story. | Some of the visualizations are easy to understand. | Not many of the visualizations are easy to understand. |
| Writing | The written work tells the story accurately. It is clear and easy to understand. | The written work tells the story, however, some parts and muddled and not easy to understand. | The written work doesn't tell the story accurately. It is not clear and easy to understand. |
| Creativity | The work is highly creative. It could be used as an exemplary model. | Creativity is evident. | Creativity is not evident. |
| Conventions | There are only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage, if any. | There are few errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are many errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will look at how some of these different EM waves were discovered. They will create a narrative storyboard of how the discovery was made. This activity will get your students hooked on learning about some of the great stories about scientific discovery. Allowing them to select which part of the EM spectrum they want to research will allow them to take ownership over their work.
Suggested Key EM Spectrum Discoveries
- William Herschel and infrared
- Johann Ritter and UV
- Wilhelm Röntgen and X-rays
- Paul Villard and gamma rays
- Isaac Newton’s experiments with the nature of colored light
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Retell the story of how one part of the EM spectrum was discovered using a narrative storyboard.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Research the story of how your chosen wave was discovered and who discovered it.
- Retell the story using a narrative storyboard.
- Add a description to the cells to explain the illustrations.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vizualisations | All the visualizations are easy to understand and help in telling the story. | Some of the visualizations are easy to understand. | Not many of the visualizations are easy to understand. |
| Writing | The written work tells the story accurately. It is clear and easy to understand. | The written work tells the story, however, some parts and muddled and not easy to understand. | The written work doesn't tell the story accurately. It is not clear and easy to understand. |
| Creativity | The work is highly creative. It could be used as an exemplary model. | Creativity is evident. | Creativity is not evident. |
| Conventions | There are only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage, if any. | There are few errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are many errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Electromagnetic Spectrum Discoveries
How to Facilitate a Classroom Debate on EM Spectrum Discoveries
Encourage students to critically analyze scientific breakthroughs by organizing a classroom debate about which electromagnetic spectrum discovery had the biggest impact. This approach fosters engagement, deepens understanding, and builds communication skills.
Assign discovery topics to student pairs or teams
Group your class so each pair or team researches one EM spectrum discovery, ensuring a variety of perspectives. Collaboration helps students learn from one another and strengthens research skills.
Guide students to research and prepare arguments
Ask each group to find evidence explaining why their assigned discovery was important. Encourage use of facts, historical context, and real-world applications in their arguments.
Set clear debate guidelines and roles
Explain the debate format, including time limits, speaking order, and respectful language. Assign roles such as speakers, note takers, and timekeepers to keep the debate organized and fair.
Moderate the debate and facilitate reflection
Lead the discussion, ensuring every group presents and responds. Afterward, invite students to reflect on what they learned and how their opinions may have changed about the most impactful EM discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electromagnetic Spectrum Discoveries
What is a narrative storyboard for teaching electromagnetic spectrum discoveries?
A narrative storyboard is a visual sequence of images and captions that retells the story of how a specific part of the electromagnetic spectrum was discovered. It helps students visualize and understand the scientific process and the people behind key discoveries.
How can students research electromagnetic spectrum discoveries effectively?
Students can research EM spectrum discoveries by selecting a type of EM wave, identifying its discoverer (such as Herschel for infrared), and reading credible sources. Encouraging ownership and using engaging resources like videos or biographies makes research more effective.
What are some key discoveries in the electromagnetic spectrum for students to explore?
Key discoveries include William Herschel and infrared, Johann Ritter and ultraviolet, Wilhelm Röntgen and X-rays, Paul Villard and gamma rays, and Isaac Newton’s work with colored light. Each represents a major advancement in our understanding of light and energy.
Why is it important for students to choose which EM wave discovery to research?
Allowing students to choose which EM wave to research increases engagement and personal investment. It fosters curiosity, encourages deeper learning, and helps students take ownership of their educational experience.
What steps should teachers follow to guide students in creating EM spectrum discovery storyboards?
Teachers should: 1) Ask students to pick an EM wave, 2) Guide research on its discovery, 3) Support storyboard creation with clear instructions, and 4) Encourage adding descriptive captions to explain each illustration in the storyboard.
More Storyboard That Activities
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