At Enka Intermediate, the afternoon sun is perfect for an outdoor class, especially Nathan Rhein’s sixth grade science class. One particular lesson was more than just another experiment - it was an exploration of how light behaves when it meets different surfaces.
The students fanned out, each group assigned a set of objects: aluminum foil, metal rods, and CDs. As they angled them towards the sun, patterns of light scattered across the ground. The foil sent chaotic reflections in every direction, the rods bounced light back in neat, bright streaks, and the CDs bent the sunlight into swirling rainbows. The air buzzed with excitement as the students traced the shifting colors with their fingers.
The students also tested the reflective properties of different colors. They used red, white and black paper and compared the strengths of the visible reflection. Afterwards, students found that white reflects the most light while black absorbs the most.
Notes were scribbled, theories confirmed, and connections made. As the experiment wrapped up, the students gathered their findings, already imagining how they might use their new knowledge. Mr. Rhein watched them with satisfaction. At Enka Intermediate, discovery wasn’t just about answers - it was about seeing the world in a whole new light.